title: Levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in placentas from the Spanish INMA birth cohort study.
abstract: Because fetuses are considered significantly more sensitive to various environment toxicants, there is a need for continuous biomonitoring of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls PCBs (DL-PCBs) to assess their impact on this susceptible population. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs in placenta samples from women participating in the Spanish Environment and Childhood (INMA) birth cohort study and to evaluate whether maternal and child characteristics predict placenta concentrations of these pollutants. The presence of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs was investigated in 50 placenta samples selected at random in the recruitment period 2000-2008. Multivariable regression models were constructed. Mothers had a mean age at delivery of 30.7 years (18.0-38.0 years), pre-pregnancy BMI of 23.3 kg/m² (18.0-40.2 kg/m²), and 31% were smokers. Median total concentrations of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were 6.9 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid and 2.1 pg WHO-TEQ/g lipid, respectively. In comparison to the few previous studies in placenta, total TEQ levels were among the lowest recorded in comparable general populations. The congener distribution pattern and the frequencies and concentrations of PCDD/F and DL-PCB congeners were similar to previous reports in placenta. PCDD/F and DL-PCB exposure was related to the age of the mother and the year of the delivery. Although placental concentrations cannot be considered wholly appropriate predictors for evaluating fetal exposure to these contaminants, they can provide a good indication of both maternal and infant prenatal and postnatal exposure and can be used as a proxy for fetal exposure.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Laboratory of Medical Investigations, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain. marieta@ugr.es
authors.forename: Mariana F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parera
authors.forename: Juan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Arrebola
authors.forename: Loreto Santa
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Marina
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrijheid
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Llop
authors.forename: Manoli
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abalos
authors.forename: Adonina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tardon
authors.forename: Argelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castaño
authors.forename: Esteban
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abad
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Olea
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004147:Dioxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D004147:Dioxins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls