Abstract
Arsenic, cadmium and lead are well-known environmental contaminants, and their toxicity at low concentration is the target of scientific concern. In this study, we aimed to identify the potential effects of prenatal heavy metal exposure on the birth outcomes among the Myanmar population. This study is part of a birth-cohort study conducted with 419 pregnant women in the Ayeyarwady Division, Myanmar. Face-to-face interviews were performed using a questionnaire, and maternal spot urine samples were collected at the third trimester. Birth outcomes were evaluated at delivery during the follow up. The median values of adjusted urinary arsenic, cadmium, selenium and lead concentration were 74.2, 0.9, 22.6 and 1.8 μg/g creatinine, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that prenatal cadmium exposure (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.21; p = 0.043), gestational age (adjusted OR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.72–0.95; p = 0.009) and primigravida mothers (adjusted OR = 4.23; 95% CI: 1.31–13.65; p = 0.016) were the predictors of low birth weight. The present study identified that Myanmar mothers were highly exposed to cadmium. Prenatal maternal cadmium exposure was associated with an occurrence of low birth weight.
Highlights
Pregnant women and their fetuses are more vulnerable to adverse effects from the exposure of environmental toxic substances [1,2,3]
This study evaluated the effect of prenatal heavy metal exposure on adverse birth outcomes among the Myanmar population
This study identified the association between the maternal urinary cadmium concentration and an increased likelihood of a low birth weight
Summary
Pregnant women and their fetuses are more vulnerable to adverse effects from the exposure of environmental toxic substances [1,2,3]. The placenta may act as a selective transporter that prevents the passage of potentially toxic substances to the developing fetus, some environmental contaminants can freely or partially cross the placental barrier [5]. Arsenic, cadmium and lead are well-known environmental heavy metals, and they could extend the health risk to the fetus even at a low level through trans-placental circulation [2,6,7,8]. The toxicological effects of heavy metals could alter the physiological changes during pregnancy, the critical phase of fetal cell division and differentiation [4,9]. Prenatal cadmium exposure could impair steroidogenesis that leads to suboptimal fetal growth and development [10]
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