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Ibrahimou et al., Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale) 2014, 4:9 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2161-0932.1000244
Gynecology & Obstetrics Research Article
Open Access
Risk of Low Birth Weight and Very Low Birth Weight from Exposure to Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Speciation Metals during Pregnancy Boubakari Ibrahimou1,3*, Hamisu M Salihu3,4, Janvier Gasana1,5 and Hilda Owusu2
Department of Biostatistics, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, FL, USA Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, FL, USA 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, FL, USA 5 South Florida Asthma Consortium, 2020 S Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA 1 2 3
Abstract Purpose: To examine the association between maternal exposures to particulate matter speciation metals during pregnancy and the risk of Low Birth Weight (LBW) or Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) in offspring. Methods: This retrospective population-based cohort study involved two linked databases: the Florida birth certificate records for births for Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties from 2004 to 2007, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) particulate matter speciation data. Exposure values of speciation chemicals for pregnant mothers were allocated based on their residential proximity to monitoring sites. Primary outcomes of interest were LBW and VLBW. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were computed using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Exposure to particulate matter sodium and aluminum during first trimester and the entire pregnancy period were associated with the odds of having LBW and VLBW. Exposure to PM2.5 sodium increased the risk of LBW by more than 35% for both the first trimester and the entire pregnancy period (OR=1.41, 95% CI=1.19-1.68 and OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.02-1.79 respectively). PM2.5 sodium exposure was also associated with the risk of VLBW for the entire pregnancy exposure (OR=2.06, 95% CI=1.07-3.96). PM2.5 aluminum exposure during the whole pregnancy also was associated with an increased the risk of low birth weight (OR=1.08, 95% CI= 1.01-1.15) but not associated with the risk of very low birth weight (OR=1.02, 95% CI= 0.97-1.06). Conclusion: Maternal exposure to PM2.5 aluminum and sodium during pregnancy increases the risk of both low birth weight and very low birth weight, which suggests a need for further research to be conducted on the health effects of exposure to PM2.5 speciation metals in general, and aluminum and sodium in particular.
Keywords: Low birth weight; Very low birth weight; Normal birth weight; Particulate matter; Metals; Air pollutants; Sodium; Aluminum
Introduction Toxicological and epidemiological studies have attempted to establish relationships between measured Particulate Matter (PM) mass and adverse health effects [1]. Exposure to fine particles, less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5) are believed to pose the greatest risk [2]. Rapid industrial development enhances the possibility of occupational and environmental exposure to various air pollutants (including metals and particulate matter) among women, a situation that has been shown to have adverse effects on pregnant mothers [3]. According to Semczuk and Sikora, pollution resulting from industrial products and wastes, increased motorization, and the chemization of agriculture has given rise to an increased amount of toxic metals and air pollutants in the environment [4]. Continuous exposure of pregnant women to small concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium demonstrate cumulative characteristics, and can result in irreversible disorders in the course of fetal growth and development. Although these heavy metals have been shown to be teratogenic and embryotoxic, the placenta serves as a natural barrier that decreases feto-maternal transmission of some heavy metals [4]. Studies of four counties in Connecticut and Massachusetts found associations between PM 2.5 components of aluminum, elemental carbon, nickel, silicon, vanadium, and zinc and risk of LBW [5]. Increases in air pollutants and subsequent exposure to low-levels of contaminants place expectant mothers at risk for adverse birth outcomes [6]. Negative health effects of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants have been established in studies involving laboratory animals, controlled human exposures, and population-based epidemiologic studies [7-12]. Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale) ISSN: 2161-0932 Gynecology, an open access journal
Low Birth Weight (LBW) or infants weighing less than
