Maternal levels of endocrine disruptors, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, in early pregnancy are not associated with lower birth weight in the Canadian birth cohort GESTE

Abstract

BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers are known endocrine disrupting environmental contaminants used as flame retardants. Their levels have increased in humans over the last ten years, raising concerns about their consequences on human health. Some animal studies suggest that PBDEs can affect fetal growth; however, the results of human studies are contradictory. This study evaluates the association between the most common PBDEs in maternal blood measured in early pregnancy and birth weight.MethodsBDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100 and BDE-153 levels were measured in 349 women during their first prenatal care visit at the University Hospital Center of Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada). Birth weight and relevant medical information were collected from medical records. In contrast with previous studies, we examined the full range of clinical risk factors known to affect fetal growth as potential confounders, as well as other environmental pollutants that are likely to interact with fetal growth (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, lead, cadmium and manganese).ResultsThere was no statistically significant relationship between PBDE levels in early pregnancy and birth weight in both unadjusted and multivariate regression models.ConclusionsOur results suggest that PBDEs in early pregnancy have little or no direct impact on birth weight, at least at the levels of exposure in our population.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0134-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gestational exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in relation to infant birth weight: a Bayesian analysis of the HOME Study

“…For example, a meta-analysis by Govarts et al (2016), found an association between PCB 153 and low birth weight [ 21 ] whereas Lenters et al [ 18 ] did not find an association. Similar inconsistent associations exist for phthalates and BPA [ 22 – 24 ], OCPs [ 18 , 25 ] and PBDEs [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Human Fetal Growth

“…In this case, results were also discordant. Serme-Gbedo et al [54] evaluated nine epidemiological studies assessing the relationship between PBDEs and birth weight, and four reported a negative association, while two reported a non-significant negative association, two others reported no statistically significant association, and one reported a negative association for male infants only, and a positive association for female newborns only.…”

Early-life chemical exposures and risk of metabolic syndrome

“…In regions where the exposure to PBDEs is higher than the US Environmental Protection Agency Reference dose, exposures have reported a positive correlation between PBDE exposure and birth weight and length,103 while other regions have shown the opposite relationship104–107 or no relationship at all 96,108. Furthermore, postnatal exposures to maternal PBDEs through breast milk continue to be a significant source of PBDE congeners.…”