Antenatal depression and environmental pollutants

Abstract

Mental health influences the experience of pregnancy. Antenatal Depression is a risk factor for mother-baby bond. Many factors can cause depression, including genetic, psychological and environmental factors. The aim of this study is investigating associations between Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Metals exposure with depression in pregnancy. Methods: This study used data from Projeto Infância e Poluentes Ambientais (PIPA UFRJ) pilot study. That was accomplished at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro from 2017 to 2018. 131 pregnant women participated at this research. They answered questionnaires to collect sociodemographic, environmental pollutants exposure and mental health information. Maternal blood and urine sample were collected at third trimester of pregnancy to detect environmental pollutants. Results: The mean age of research participants was 27. All participants were in urban areas. The mean per capita income was R$ 891,80. All metals investigated by this study (4 metals) were detected in all participants. Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) were detected in 73%. 6% of participants reported having depression. Higher mean PFOS exposure was detected in pregnant women with depression (With Depression= 1,1 ng/mL; CI 95% 0,74-1,56. No Depression= 0,79 ng/mL; CI 95% 0,76-0,84). The same was found in analysis of PFOA (WD= 0,82 ng/mL; CI 95% 0,55-1,48. ND= 0,59 ng/mL; CI 95% 0,55-0,63). Analyzing Metals exposure, higher mean Arsenic exposure was detected in participants with depression (WD= 10.3423 ng/mL; CI 95% 7,47-12,7). (ND= 9.805 ng/ mL; CI 95% 8,96-10,5). Conclusions: These results suggest higher concentration in pregnant women with depression. However there is no statistical significance. The PIPA Project cohort is currently being developed. It will cooperate with greater statistical power in this discussion. Keywords: Environmental pollutants; Antenatal Depression; Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances; Metals