Determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations: a review

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used for their properties such as stain and water resistance. The substances have been associated with adverse health outcomes in both pregnant mothers and infants, including pre-eclampsia and low birthweight. A growing body of research suggests that PFAS are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta, leading to in utero exposure. A systematic review was performed using the PubMed database to search for studies evaluating determinants of PFAS concentrations in blood matrices of pregnant mothers and neonates shortly after birth. Studies were included in this review if an observational study design was utilized, exposure to at least one PFAS analyte was measured, PFAS were measured in maternal or neonatal matrices, at least one determinant of PFAS concentrations was assessed, and results such as beta estimates were provided. We identified 35 studies for inclusion in the review and evaluated the PFAS and determinant relationships among the factors collected in these studies. Parity, breastfeeding history, maternal race and country of origin, and household income had the strongest and most consistent evidence to support their roles as determinants of certain PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers. Reported study findings on smoking status, alcohol consumption, and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) suggest that these factors are not important determinants of PFAS concentrations in pregnant mothers or neonates. Further study into informative factors such as consumer product use, detailed dietary information, and consumed water sources as potential determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is needed. Research on determinants of maternal or neonatal PFAS concentrations is critical to estimate past PFAS exposure, build improved exposure models, and further our understanding on dose–response relationships, which can influence epidemiological studies and risk assessment evaluations. Given the potential for adverse outcomes in pregnant mothers and neonates exposed to PFAS, it is important to identify and understand determinants of maternal and neonatal PFAS concentrations to better implement public health interventions in these populations.

Predictors of Serum Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Concentrations among U.S. Couples Attending a Fertility Clinic

“…Differences in lifestyle, cultural, and dietary factors might explain the racial heterogeneity in PFAS concentrations. 13,31,32 We found that shellfish and fish consumption was positively associated with PFAS concentrations among both females and males, specifically for PFOS, PFNA, PFDA, and sum PFAS.…”

“…The association between smoking/drinking and PFAS concentrations may be affected by confounding by lifestyles such as diet, BMI, and exercise. 13 For example, wine might be consumed with seafood, which contains high PFAS concentrations, resulting in potential spurious associations between wine consumption and higher PFAS concentrations. Indeed, white wine consumption was moderately correlated with a higher fish consumption in our data.…”

“…Of note, PFHxS are commonly used in stain-resistant coatings for carpets, textiles, and upholstery, while PFDA and PFUnDA are mainly used as surfactant in producing coatings for cookware and some food packaging materials. Differences in lifestyle, cultural, and dietary factors might explain the racial heterogeneity in PFAS concentrations. ,, …”

“…Many couples often share their living environment and have common PFAS exposure sources. concentrations among pregnant women and children, 13 to date, only one Chinese study evaluated the predictors of PFAS concentrations among preconception couples. 14 The study found that PFAS concentrations were weakly to moderately correlated within couples, and males, in general, had higher PFAS concentrations than females.…”

Effects of In Utero PFOS Exposure on Epigenetics and Metabolism in Mouse Fetal Livers

“…Concerns over the toxicity of PFAS were extended to in utero exposure in humans. Offspring would be at higher risk of obesity and metabolic disorders , due to disruption of the maternal metabolism and placental transfer of PFASs. ,, In animal studies, in utero exposure to PFOS disrupted maternal and intrauterine metabolism, accompanied by significant decreases in placental nutrient transport and reduced fetal weights. – Our previous study demonstrated that maternal exposure to PFOS disturbed offspring energy homeostasis, increased susceptibility to dietary challenges, and caused metabolic disturbances later in life . Recent studies of the Michigan mother–infant pair’s cohort and Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) showed that gestational PFAS exposure was associated with offspring DNA methylation. , Animal and human epidemiological studies have suggested that PFASs alter fetal metabolic programming.…”