Drinking-water herbicide exposure in Indiana and prevalence of small-for-gestational-age and preterm delivery.
BACKGROUND
Atrazine and other corn herbicides are routinely detected in drinking water. Two studies on potential association of atrazine with small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and preterm birth prevalence found inconsistent results. Moreover, these studies did not control for individual-level potential confounders.


OBJECTIVE
Our retrospective cohort study evaluated whether atrazine in drinking water is associated with increased prevalence of SGA and preterm birth.


METHODS
We developed atrazine concentration time series for 19 water systems in Indiana from 1993 to 2007 and selected all births (n = 24,154) based on geocoded mother's residences. Log-binomial models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) for SGA and preterm delivery in relation to atrazine concentrations during various periods of the pregnancy. Models controlled for maternal demographic characteristics, prenatal care and reproductive history, and behavioral risk factors (smoking, drinking, drug use).


RESULTS
Atrazine in drinking water during the third trimester and the entire pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of SGA. Atrazine in drinking water > 0.1 microg/L during the third trimester resulted in a 17-19% increase in the prevalence of SGA compared with the control group (< 0.1 microg/L). Mean atrazine concentrations over the entire pregnancy > 0.644 microg/L were associated with higher SGA prevalence than in the control group (adjusted PR = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.24). No significant association was found for preterm delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
We found that atrazine, and perhaps other co-occurring herbicides in drinking water, is associated with an increased prevalence of SGA, but not preterm delivery.
Ochoa-Acuña
Hugo
H
Epidemiology and Public Health Section, Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA. hochoaac@purdue.edu
Frankenberger
Jane
J
Hahn
Leighanne
L
Carbajo
Cristina
C
D001280:Atrazine / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015995:Prevalence; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D006540:Herbicides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001280:Atrazine