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Associations of birth outcomes with maternal polybrominated diphenyl ethers and thyroid hormones during pregnancy

Marie Lynn Miranda1, Rebecca Anthopolos2, Amy Wolkin3

  • 1School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Environment International
|October 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Maternal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may be linked to smaller infant head circumference. Thyroid hormones did not appear to mediate this association in this study of PBDEs and birth outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Pediatric Health

Background:

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants with known associations with adverse birth outcomes and thyroid disruption.
  • Understanding the impact of prenatal exposure to PBDEs on infant development is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal serum PBDE levels and infant anthropometric measurements including birth weight, head circumference, and length.
  • To explore the potential mediating role of maternal thyroid hormone levels in these associations.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 140 pregnant women was recruited during their third trimester.
  • Maternal serum was analyzed for PBDEs and thyroid hormones; infant birth outcomes were collected from medical records.

Main Results:

  • Maternal BDE 153 showed a potential association with reduced infant head circumference, though this was attenuated after adjusting for covariates.
  • Other PBDE congeners (BDE 47, 99) showed non-significant negative associations with infant measurements.
  • Thyroid hormone levels did not appear to mediate the relationship between PBDEs and infant outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal PBDE exposure may be associated with decreased infant head circumference, warranting further investigation in larger populations.
  • The data did not support a mediating role for thyroid hormones in the observed associations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Birth outcomesBirth weightHead circumferenceInfant lengthPolybrominated diphenyl ethersThyroid hormone

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