Association of adverse birth outcomes with prenatal uranium exposure: A population-based cohort study. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Weiping; Liu, Wenyu; Bao, Shuangshuang; Liu, Hongxiu; Zhang, Yuzeng; Zhang, Bin; Zhou, Aifen; Chen, Jia; Hao, Ke; Xia, Wei; Li, Yuanyuan; Sheng, Xia; Xu, Shunqing
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 135(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Adverse birth outcomes -- Gestational age -- Prenatal exposure -- Preterm birth -- Uranium; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Highlights: This is the largest study to investigate maternal uranium exposure and birth outcome. Prenatal exposure to uranium correlates with decreased gestational age. Uranium exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. Abstract: Uranium (U) is a well-recognized hazardous heavy metal with embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. However, little is known about its association with adverse birth outcomes. We aimed to investigate the potential correlation between prenatal U exposure and birth outcomes. Urine samples of 8500 women were collected before delivery from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Concentrations of urinary U and other metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. We used multivariable logistic regressions to evaluate the associations between urinary U concentrations and adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). Associations of urinary U concentrations with gestational age, birth weight, and birth length were investigated by linear regressions. The geometric mean of U concentration was 0.03 μg/L. After adjustment for potential confounders, we found each Log2 -unit increase in U concentration was associated with a significant decrease in gestational age [adjusted β = −0.32 day; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.44, −0.20] and a significant increased likelihood of PTB (adjusted OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.29). This birth cohort uncovered an association of maternal exposure to U during pregnancy with decreased gestational age and increased risk of PTB. Our findings reveal an association of maternal exposure to U during pregnancy with decreased gestational age and increased risk of PTB.