Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

6.7K

Investigating causal relation between prenatal arsenic exposure and birthweight: Are smaller infants more

Mohammad L Rahman1, Linda Valeri2, Molly L Kile3

  • 1Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA.

Environment International
|August 9, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal arsenic exposure lowers birthweight by shortening gestation in all infants. Smaller infants face higher risks due to arsenic exposure impacting growth, highlighting the need for exposure mitigation in Bangladesh.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Reproductive Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Low birthweight is a significant global health concern, influenced by preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
  • Prenatal exposure to arsenic has been associated with reduced birthweight, but the underlying causal mechanisms remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal arsenic exposure and birthweight, specifically examining the roles of shortened gestation and IUGR.
  • To determine if the impact of arsenic exposure on birthweight differs across the spectrum of infant birth sizes.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal birth cohort study in Bangladesh measured arsenic levels in drinking water and maternal toenails.
  • Gestational age was determined by early ultrasound, and birthweight was recorded for 1184 singleton livebirths.
  • Quantile causal mediation analysis was employed to assess arsenic's effects on birthweight through gestational length and other pathways.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal arsenic exposure was negatively associated with birthweight, with effects varying by birthweight percentile.
  • Arsenic's impact on birthweight mediated by shortened gestation affected all infants.
  • Arsenic exposure through pathways independent of gestation primarily affected smaller infants, increasing their risk of low birthweight.

Conclusions:

  • Infant size influences susceptibility to prenatal arsenic exposure, with smaller infants at greater risk.
  • Arsenic exposure can lead to lower birthweight by reducing gestational duration and potentially causing growth restriction.
  • Mitigating prenatal arsenic exposure is crucial for improving perinatal outcomes in populations like Bangladesh.
Abstract

More Related Videos

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration09:24

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration

Published on: February 23, 2019

24.0K
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

88.2K

Related Concept Videos

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II01:28

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

The Bradford Hill criteria serve as guidelines for establishing causative links in epidemiological research. Beyond Strength, Consistency, Specificity, and Temporality, key criteria also include Biological Gradient, Plausibility, Coherence, Experiment, and Analogy. These principles assist scientists in assessing the likelihood of causation in complex biological contexts. Below is a summary of these concepts:
1.4K
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.3K
Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - I01:30

Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - I

The Bradford Hill criteria are a group of principles that provide a framework to determine a causal relationship between a specific factor and a disease. There are nine criteria that are pivotal in assessing causality in epidemiological studies. Here's a closer look at Strength, Consistency, Specificity, and Temporality criteria with definitions and examples:
1.2K
Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
3.2K
Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter...
615
Causality in Epidemiology01:21

Causality in Epidemiology

Causality or causation is a fundamental concept in epidemiology, vital for understanding the relationships between various factors and health outcomes. Despite its importance, there's no single, universally accepted definition of causality within the discipline. Drawing from a systematic review, causality in epidemiology encompasses several definitions, including production, necessary and sufficient, sufficient-component, counterfactual, and probabilistic models. Each has its strengths and...
1.8K