The relationship between birth weight, gestational age and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)-contaminated public drinking water.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have examined the associations between perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) levels in cord blood and maternal plasma with lowered birth weight and gestational age in humans; however, no study has examined these effects in a population of known high PFOA exposure. Residents drinking PFOA-contaminated water from the Little Hocking Water Association (LHWA) in Washington County, Ohio have serum PFOA levels approximately 80 times those in the general U.S. population.


OBJECTIVE
To compare birth weights and gestational ages of neonates born to mothers residing in zip codes with water service provided completely, partially or not at all by the LHWA.


METHODS
Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed on singleton neonatal birth weight data supplied by the Ohio Department of Health to examine the associations between LHWA water service category (used as a surrogate for PFOA exposure) with mean birth weight, mean gestational age, the likelihood of low birth weight (<2500 g), and the likelihood of preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation). All models were adjusted for maternal age, gestational age, sex, race and population-level socioeconomic status.


RESULTS
The incidence of low birth weight, preterm birth, mean birth weight and mean gestational age of neonates did not significantly differ among water service categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Markedly elevated PFOA exposure, as categorized by water service category, is not associated with increased risk of lowered birth weight or gestational age. This study does not confirm earlier findings of an association between PFOA and lowered birth weight observed at normal population levels.
Nolan
Lynda A
LA
Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Nolan
John M
JM
Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
Shofer
Frances S
FS
Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Rodway
Nancy V
NV
Division of Occupational Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States.
Emmett
Edward A
EA
Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address: emmetted@mail.med.upenn.edu.
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002210:Caprylates / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
D002210:Caprylates; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C023036:perfluorooctanoic acid