Maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and small for gestational age offspring

Abstract

Objectives While some of the highest maternal exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occur in the workplace, there is only one previous study of occupational PAH exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We sought to extend this literature using interview data combined with detailed exposure assessment. Methods Data for 1997–2002 were analysed from mothers of infants without major birth defects in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a large population-based case-control study in the USA. Maternal telephone interviews yielded information on jobs held in the month before conception through delivery. From 6252 eligible control mothers, 2803 completed the interview, had a job, met other selection criteria, and were included in the analysis. Two industrial hygienists independently assessed occupational exposure to PAHs from the interview and reviewed results with a third to reach consensus. Small for gestational age (SGA) was the only adverse pregnancy outcome with enough exposed cases to yield meaningful results. Logistic regression estimated crude and adjusted ORs. Results Of the 2803 mothers, 221 (7.9%) had infants who were SGA. Occupational PAH exposure was found for 17 (7.7%) of the mothers with SGA offspring and 102 (4.0%) of the remaining mothers. Almost half the jobs with exposure were related to food preparation and serving. After adjustment for maternal age, there was a significant association of occupational exposure with SGA (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8). Conclusions Maternal occupational exposure to PAHs was found to be associated with increased risk of SGA offspring.

Association between maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and rare birth defects of the face and central nervous system

“…Several studies from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) have reported an association between occupational exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and adverse birth outcomes, such as birth defects and small for gestational age offspring (Langlois et al, ; Langlois et al, ; Langlois et al, ; Lupo et al, ; O'Brien et al, ).…”

Air pollution, a rising environmental risk factor for cognition, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration: The clinical impact on children and beyond

“…People's exposures to PAHs -complex mixtures containing over 100 compounds-are associated Prenatal PAHs exposures are harmful to the developing brain, high levels of PAH-DNA adducts in cord blood have been associated with neural tube defects, and occupational exposures during pregnancy increase the risk for small for gestational age babies [25][26][27]. In the U.S.…”

Maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and craniosynostosis among offspring in the national birth defects prevention study

“…For example, studies have reported associations between PAHs and gastroschisis (Lupo, Langlois, et al, 2012), small for gestational age (Langlois et al, 2014), and neural tube defects (Ren et al, 2011). There is also biological evidence that PAHs may be teratogenic.…”

“…Any discrepancies were resolved in a consensus meeting, which included a third hygienist. The approach used to estimate PAH exposure has been described previously (Rocheleau et al, 2011) and is described in detail in other NBDPS studies (Langlois et al, 2014; Langlois et al, 2013; Langlois et al, 2012; Lupo, Langlois, et al, 2012; Lupo, Symanski, et al., 2012). …”

“…These toxicants have been linked to adverse birth outcomes such as intrauterine growth retardation (Choi, Rauh, Garfinkel, Tu, & Perera, 2008), preterm birth (Singh et al., 2008), decreased infant growth (Choi et al, 2006; Langlois et al, 2014), as well as certain birth defects (e.g., gastroschisis (Lupo, Langlois, et al, 2012), oral clefts (Langlois et al, 2013), and neural tube defects (Ren et al, 2011)). However, no studies have examined the relationship between PAHs and craniosynostosis, a condition characterized by the premature closure of one or more of the sutures in the infant skull (Nagaraja, Anslow, & Winter, 2013).…”