Environmental and genetic predictors of whole blood mercury and selenium concentrations in pregnant women in a UK birth cohort
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SUBMITTER: Dack K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10951965 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:BackgroundThe toxic trace elements mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and antimony (Sb) are transferred over the placenta to the fetus and secreted into the breastmilk. All four elements bioaccumulate in the body and as maternal age at delivery is increasing in industrialized countries, the burden of toxic trace elements in never-pregnant women of fertile age is of concern.MethodsHealthy, never-pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years (n = 158) were recruited between June 2012 and March 2015 in Bergen, Norway. Clinical data were collected and non-fasting venous blood samples were analyzed for whole blood Hg, Pb and Cd and serum Sb by ICP-MS and related to diet and life style factors.ResultsIn a multiple linear regression model, increasing age was associated with higher levels of Hg and Sb, but diet and life style factors were more important predictors. Median whole blood Hg was increased by a factor of 70 in women who had fish for dinner ≥1/week, compared to women who rarely or never ate fish (p<0.001). Alcohol intake was the strongest predictor for whole blood Pb, while use of tobacco was the strongest predictor for whole blood Cd. Being a vegetarian was associated with lower levels of both Hg and Sb.ConclusionsAs toxic trace elements tend to bioaccumulate in the body, increasing maternal age at delivery may represent a threat to the next generation. In a group of healthy Norwegian never-pregnant women, age contributed to Hg and Sb levels, but diet and life style factors were stronger determinants of whole blood Hg, Pb, Cd and serum Sb levels. Continuous public actions are needed to reduce modifiable and preventable sources of potentially deleterious toxins to minimize the exposure in children and fertile women.
| S-EPMC5716542 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Seafood provides essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and other nutrients to pregnant women and their fetus(es) while a diet rich in finfish can be a major pathway of monomethyl mercury (MeHg+) exposure. We measured total mercury concentration ([THg]) in hair samples provided by 75 women in Baja California Sur (BCS) to assess its relationship with age, parity, tobacco smoke exposure, and diet based on survey methodologies. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to explain the possible association of the different variables with [THg] in hair. Median [THg] in hair was 1.52 µgg-1, ranging from 0.12 to 24.19 µgg-1 and varied significantly by segment. Approximately 72% (54/75) of those evaluated exceed 1 µgg-1 [THg] and 8% (6/75) exceed 5 µgg-1 [THg] in hair. Although frequency of fish consumption contributed significantly to explaining hair [THg], fish consumption only explained 43% of [THg] in a GLM incorporating tobacco exposure and body mass index. This study establishes possible relationships among multiple potential sources of exposure and other factors related to [THg] in hair of women in the prenatal period. A more detailed examination of other sources of exposure and factors contributing to [THg] is warranted.
| S-EPMC5304913 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Our study aimed to investigate dietary and non-dietary predictors of exposure to pyrethroids, organophosphates pesticides and 2,4-D herbicide in two cohorts of pregnant women in New York City: 153 women from the Thyroid Disruption and Infant Development (TDID) cohort and 121 from the Sibling/Hermanos Cohort(S/H). Baseline data on predictors were collected from the women at time of recruitment. We used three different modeling strategies to address missing data due to biomarker values below the limit of detection (<LOD): (1) logistic regression models with biomarkers categorized as (<median, ≥median); (2) linear regression models, imputing the <LOD values with (LOD/√2); (3) regression models, considering <LOD values as left-censored. Generally, all three models identified similar predictors of exposure. We found that ethnicity, higher income and education predicted higher concentrations of most of the biomarkers in both cohorts. Mothers who consumed processed meat in the TDID cohort, and broiled, barbequed food or burgers in the S/H cohort, tended to have lower concentrations of organophosphates and 2,4-D. The choice of modeling led to a few different predictors identified, and the selection of modeling strategy should be based on the study question.
| S-EPMC7504694 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Given the potential adverse health effects related to toxic trace metal exposure and insufficient or excessive levels of essential trace metals in pregnant women and their fetuses, the present study characterizes biomarkers of metal and metalloid exposure at repeated time points during pregnancy among women in Puerto Rico. We recruited 1040 pregnant women from prenatal clinics and collected urine, blood, and questionnaire data on demographics, product use, food consumption, and water usage at up to three visits. All samples were analyzed for 16 metal(loid)s: arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), cesium (Cs), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), titanium (Ti), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn). Urine samples were additionally analyzed for molybdenum (Mo), platinum (Pt), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), and tungsten (W). Mean concentrations of most metal(loid)s were higher among participants compared to the general US female population. We found weak to moderate correlations for inter-matrix comparisons, and moderate to strong correlations between several metal(loid)s measured within each biological matrix. Blood concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Hg, and Pb were shown to reflect reliable biomarkers of exposure. For other metals, repeated samples are recommended for exposure assessment in epidemiology studies. Predictors of metal(loid) biomarkers included fish and rice consumption (urinary As), fish and canned food (blood Hg), drinking public water (blood Pb), smoking (blood Cd), and iron/folic acid supplement use (urinary Cs, Mo, and Sb). Characterization of metal(loid) biomarker variation over time and between matrices, and identification of important exposure sources, may inform future epidemiology studies and exposure reduction strategies.
| S-EPMC7167342 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study measures total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg) and selenium (Se) concentrations in elasmobranch fish from an Italian market with the aim of evaluating the risk-benefit associated with their consumption, using estimated weekly intake (EWI), permissible safety level (MeHgPSL), selenium health benefit value (HBVSe) and monthly consumption rate limit (CRmm) for each species. THg and Se were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry, while MeHg was determined by HrGc/Ms. THg and MeHg concentrations ranged from 0.61 to 1.25 μg g-1 w.w. and from 0.57 to 0.97 μg g-1 w.w., respectively, whereas Se levels were 0.49-0.65 μg g-1 w.w. In most samples European Community limits for THg were surpassed, while for MeHg none of the fish had levels above the limit adopted by FAO/WHO. EWIs for THg and MeHg in many cases were above the provisional tolerable weekly intakes (PTWIs). MeHgPSL estimate showed that fish should contain approximately 50% of the concentration measured to avoid exceeding the PTWI. Nevertheless, the HBVSe index indicated that solely skates were safe for human consumption (HBVSe = 3.57-6.22). Our results highlight the importance of a constant monitoring of THg and MeHg level in fish, especially in apex predators, to avoid the risk of overexposure for consumers.
| S-EPMC8775502 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) is a birth-cohort study of 100,000 mother-child dyads that aims to investigate the effect of the environment on child health and development. Mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) are considered to be important co-exposures when examining the effect of other chemical substances on child development. The levels of these elements in the blood of 20,000 randomly selected mid/late-term pregnant women from the whole JECS cohort were analysed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The median concentrations (interquartile ranges) for Pb, Hg, Cd, Mn and Se were 0.63 (0.51-0.78) µg dl-1, 3.83 (2.70-5.43) µg l-1, 0.70 (0.52-0.95) µg l-1, 16.1 (13.2-19.6) µg l-1 and 178 (165-192) µg l-1, respectively. Hg and Se correlated positively with each other (Spearman's ρ = 0.287), as did Pb and Cd (ρ = 0.239) and Cd and Mn (ρ = 0.267). The blood Pb levels decreased by 5-10-fold over the past 25 years. The main predictors of the blood levels of each element were fish consumption for Hg, maternal age and non-alcoholic beverage consumption for Pb, maternal age and smoking for Cd, gestational age at sampling for Mn and serum protein levels for Se. These results revealed the historical trends and current predictors of the blood levels of these elements in pregnant Japanese women.
| S-EPMC6760604 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPreterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of neonatal mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where 40% of global neonatal deaths occur. We identified and combined demographic, clinical, and psychosocial correlates of PTB among Kenyan women to develop a risk score.MethodsWe used data from a prospective study enrolling HIV-negative women from 20 antenatal clinics in Western Kenya (NCT03070600). Depressive symptoms were assessed by study nurses using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), intimate partner violence (IPV) with the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale (HITS), and social support using the Medical Outcomes Survey scale (MOS-SSS). Predictors of PTB (birth < 37 weeks gestation) were identified using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, clustered by facility. We used stratified k-fold cross-validation methods for risk score derivation and validation. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate discrimination of the risk score and Brier score for calibration.ResultsAmong 4084 women, 19% had PTB (incidence rate: 70.9 PTB per 100 fetus-years (f-yrs)). Predictors of PTB included being unmarried (HR:1.29, 95% CI:1.08-1.54), lower education (years) (HR:0.97, 95% CI:0.94-0.99), IPV (HITS score ≥ 5, HR:1.28, 95% CI:0.98-1.68), higher CESD-10 score (HR:1.02, 95% CI:0.99-1.04), lower social support score (HR:0.99, 95% CI:0.97-1.01), and mild-to-severe depressive symptoms (CESD-10 score ≥ 5, HR:1.46, 95% CI:1.07-1.99). The final risk score included being unmarried, social support score, IPV, and MSD. The risk score had modest discrimination between PTB and term deliveries (AUROC:0.56, 95% CI:0.54-0.58), and Brier Score was 0.4672. Women considered "high risk" for PTB (optimal risk score cut-point) had 40% higher risk of PTB (83.6 cases per 100 f-yrs) than "low risk" women (59.6 cases per 100 f-ys; HR:1.6, 95% CI:1.2-1.7, p < 0.001).ConclusionA fifth of pregnancies were PTB in this large multi-site cohort; PTB was associated with several social factors amenable to intervention. Combining these factors in a risk score did not predict PTB, reflecting the multifactorial nature of PTB and need to include other unmeasured factors. However, our findings suggest PTB risk could be better understood by integrating mental health and support services into routine antenatal care.
| S-EPMC11697889 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundLead is a widespread environmental toxin. The behaviour and academic performance of children can be adversely affected even at low blood lead levels (BLL) of 5-10 µg/dl. An important contribution to the infant's lead load is provided by maternal transfer during pregnancy.ObjectivesOur aim was to determine BLL in a large cohort of pregnant women in the UK and to identify the factors that contribute to BLL in pregnant women.MethodsPregnant women resident in the Avon area of the UK were enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in 1991-1992. Whole blood samples were collected at median gestational age of 11 weeks and analysed by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (n = 4285). Self-completion postal questionnaires were used to collect data during pregnancy on lifestyle, diet and other environmental exposures. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS v19.ResultsThe mean±SD BLL was 3.67±1.47 (median 3.41, range 0.41-19.14) µg/dl. Higher educational qualification was found to be one of the strongest independent predictor of BLL in an adjusted backwards stepwise logistic regression to predict maternal BLL <5 or ≥5 µg/dl (odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.42; p<0.001). Other predictive factors included cigarette smoking, alcohol and coffee drinking, and heating the home with a coal fire, with some evidence for iron and calcium intake having protective effects.ConclusionThe mean BLL in this group of pregnant women is higher than has been found in similar populations in developed countries. The finding that high education attainment was independently associated with higher BLL was unexpected and currently unexplained. Reduction in maternal lead levels can best be undertaken by reducing intake of the social drugs cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine, although further investigation of the effect of calcium on lead levels is needed.
| S-EPMC3764234 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Population exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may result in detrimental health effects, especially to pregnant women, developing foetuses and young children. We are reporting the findings of a cross-sectional study of 605 mothers in their late pregnancy, recruited between August 2020 and July 2021 in southern Malawi, and their offspring. The aim was to measure the concentrations of selected POPs in their maternal serum and indicate associations with social demographic characteristics and birth outcomes. A high level of education was the main predictor of p,p'-DDE (p = 0.008), p,p'-DDT (p < 0.001), cis-NC (p = 0.014), o,p'-DDT (p = 0.019) and o,p'-DDE (p = 0.019) concentrations in maternal serum. Multiparity was negatively associated with o,p'-DDE (p = 0.021) concentrations. Maternal age was also positively associated (p,p'-DDE (p = 0.013), o,p'-DDT (p = 0.017) and o,p'-DDE (p = 0.045) concentrations. Living in rural areas was inversely associated with high maternal serum concentrations of p,p'-DDT (p < 0.001). Gestational age was positively associated with p,p'-DDE (p = 0.031), p,p'-DDT (p = 0.010) and o,p'-DDT (p = 0.022) concentrations. Lastly, an inverse association was observed between head circumference and t-NC (p = 0.044), Oxychlordane (p = 0.01) and cis-NC (p = 0.048). These results highlight the need to continue monitoring levels of POPs among vulnerable populations in the southern hemisphere.
| S-EPMC10093902 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveWe examined the relationships between socio-economic characteristics and mercury (Hg) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations among pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik.MethodWe used biomonitoring data from 208 pregnant Inuit women recruited in the 14 villages of Nunavik between September 2011 and December 2013. Blood samples were collected to monitor levels of blood Hg and serum congener PCB-153 (surrogate of total PCB concentration). Ratio of omega 3/omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a validated biomarker of marine country food consumption, was also measured in red blood cell membranes to determine maternal dietary profile. Data on socio-economic characteristics (income and education), health-related lifestyles, and reproductive history were collected through questionnaires. Association between socio-economic characteristics and contaminant concentrations was assessed using linear regressions.ResultsWe observed a significant inverse relationship between education and Hg levels. Lower concentrations of Hg were observed among women who had completed high school compared to women who had not completed high school. However, no association was observed between level of education and concentration of PCBs.ConclusionSocio-economic disparities in maternal exposure to Hg exist in Nunavik. Further research is needed to determine whether environmental health inequalities also exist in other subgroups of the Nunavik population and in other Indigenous communities in Canada.
| S-EPMC6964440 | biostudies-literature