Serum PFOA and PFOS and Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

ISEE-0359 Background and Objective: Experimental studies have suggested PFOA may be associated with reproductive toxicity, and there is some epidemiologic support for a small effect on infant size. However, none of the previous studies have been able to address clinically significant endpoints of preterm birth or low birth weight, nor have any considered miscarriage or birth defects. Methods: Using data from the C8 Health Project, the authors examined the relation between serum perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and self-reported pregnancy outcome from a cross-sectional study of highly exposed residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley (2000–2006). Data on 1,845 pregnancies to 1,505 white women who were pregnant within the 5 years preceding PFOA and PFOS measurement were analyzed. Generalized estimating equations were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Neither PFOA nor PFOS showed any association with miscarriage or preterm birth. Preeclampsia was weakly associated with PFOA (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.9, 1.9) and PFOS (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0, 2.0) for exposures above the median. PFOA was not associated with an increase in low birth weight, but PFOS showed an increased risk above the median (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.0, 2.6) although not a dose-response gradient. Birth defects were weakly associated with exposures above the 90th percentile for PFOA (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0.8, 3.6) and above the 75th percentile for PFOS. Conclusion: With the possible exception of preeclampsia and birth defects, which have not been previously considered, this study provides evidence against reproductive toxicity of PFOA and PFOS although conclusions are limited by imprecision and the quality of self-reported data.