Maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and its impact on anthropometric measures of neonates

Abstract

PDS 74: Pregnancy outcomes, Exhibition Hall (PDS), Ground floor, August 26, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Abstract: Background of the study: PAHs are known reproductive toxicant even though evidences showing links between PAHs exposure and adverse birth outcomes is inconsistent or poorly understood. Present study was aimed to evaluate the association between PAHs exposure of pregnant women and anthropometric measures of infant including birth weight, height and head circumference. Methods: Study population consisted of 90 pregnant non-smoking women whose placental tissues were collected for measurement of 16 PAHs with Gas Chromatography equipped with mass detector. Questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics of pregnant women, sources of occupational and environmental exposures to PAHs and body size measures of infant were recorded instantly after delivery. Results: Average birth weight of infants was 2528.2 gm while the frequency of low birth weight infants was 39%. Among all the detected PAHs, chrysene (24.61%) and benzo(k)fluoranthene (28%) were predominant ones. Majority of PAHs were found to be higher in low birth weight group (n=35, BW<2.5 kg) than normal birth weight group (n=55, BW≥2.5 kg). Results showed inverse correlation of most PAHs with birth weight, length and head circumference. Additionally, regression analysis indicated significant decrease of 2.72, 4.91 and 0.93 gm for unit increase in fluoranthene, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene. Birth length and head circumference also showed negative but non-significant association with PAHs. Conclusions: These results shed light on drastic scenario of deteriorating fetal growth among Indian infants due to PAHs exposure. Keywords: PAHs, birth weight, placenta, fetal growth