Abstract
BackgroundPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of highly persistent chemicals that are widespread contaminants in wildlife and humans. Exposure to PFAS affects thyroid homeostasis in experimental animals and possibly in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the association between plasma concentrations of PFASs and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) among pregnant women.MethodsA total of 903 pregnant women who enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study from 2003 to 2004 were studied. Concentrations of thirteen PFASs and TSH were measured in plasma samples collected around the 18th week of gestation. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between PFASs and TSH.ResultsAmong the thirteen PFASs, seven were detected in more than 60% of samples and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) had the highest concentrations (median, 12.8 ng/mL; inter-quartile range [IQR], 10.1 -16.5 ng/mL). The median TSH concentration was 3.5 (IQR, 2.4 - 4.8) μIU/mL. Pregnant women with higher PFOS had higher TSH levels. After adjustment, with each 1 ng/mL increase in PFOS concentration, there was a 0.8% (95% confidence interval: 0.1%, 1.6%) rise in TSH. The odds ratio of having an abnormally high TSH, however, was not increased, and other PFASs were unrelated to TSH.ConclusionsOur results suggest an association between PFOS and TSH in pregnant women that is small and may be of no clinical significance.
Highlights
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of highly persistent chemicals that are widespread contaminants in wildlife and humans
Among the seven most frequently detected PFASs, the median concentration was greatest for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) (12.8 ng/mL; inter-quartile range [Inter-quartile range (IQR)], 10.1 -16.5 ng/mL), followed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) (Table 2)
Moderate positive correlations were found between concentrations of PFOS and PFOA (r = 0.66, P < 0.001), and between PFOS and PFHpS (r = 0.69, P < 0.001)
Summary
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of highly persistent chemicals that are widespread contaminants in wildlife and humans. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a group of man-made chemicals with a fully fluorinated hydrophobic linear carbon chain attached to a hydrophilic functional group [1]. Being both lipo- and hydrophobic, they are widely used in industry to make products that are resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease and water [2]. As. Thyroid hormones play an essential role in ensuring a healthy pregnancy and normal fetal growth and development. Around 30% of thyroid hormone is from the mother [11]. Alterations of maternal thyroid hormone status, even mild, are associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and offspring [12,13]
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