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A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter
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Persistent organic pollutants and pregnancy complications.

Melissa M Smarr1, Katherine L Grantz2, Cuilin Zhang2

  • 1Office of the Director, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, 6100 Executive Blvd., Rockville, MD 20852, USA..

The Science of the Total Environment
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Summary

Maternal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) before conception may increase the risk of gestational diabetes (GDM). Specifically, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were linked to higher odds of developing GDM in pregnant women.

Keywords:
Gestational diabetes mellitusHypertensionOrganochlorine pesticidesPolybrominated diphenyl ethersPreconception

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Toxicology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are environmental contaminants with potential adverse health effects.
  • Maternal exposure to POPs during pregnancy is linked to various adverse outcomes.
  • The impact of preconception POP exposure on specific pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between maternal preconception exposure to specific POPs and the development of gestational diabetes (GDM) and gestational hypertension.
  • To quantify serum concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in women attempting to conceive.
  • To determine if preconception POP exposure influences the risk of GDM or gestational hypertension.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from a prospective cohort of 258 women with confirmed pregnancies reaching ≥24 weeks gestation.
  • Quantification of preconception serum concentrations for 9 OCPs and 10 PBDEs.
  • Use of multiple logistic regression models adjusted for covariates to assess the relationship between POPs and physician-diagnosed GDM and gestational hypertension.

Main Results:

  • Maternal serum concentration of PBDE congener 153 (PBDE-153) showed a positive association with increased odds of GDM.
  • This association remained significant after adjusting for various factors including lipids, demographics, smoking, and other POPs.
  • No significant association was found for gestational hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Preconception exposure to certain POPs, specifically PBDE-153, may contribute to an increased likelihood of developing GDM.
  • Environmentally relevant concentrations of POPs prior to conception are implicated in GDM risk.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and broader implications of POP exposure on pregnancy health.