title: Can cell proliferation of umbilical cord blood cells reflect environmental exposures?
abstract: Environmental hazards were shown to have an impact on cell proliferation (CP). We investigated CP of lymphocytes in umbilical cord blood in relation to prenatal environmental exposures in a sample of 346 Arab-Bedouin women giving birth in a local hospital. Information on subjects' addresses at pregnancy, potential household exposures and demographical status was collected in an interview during hospitalization. This population is usually featured by high rates of neonatal morbidity and multiple environmental exposures, originating from the local industrial park (IP), household hazards and frequent male smoking. A geometric mean CP ratio 2.17 (2.06; 2.29), and was high in women residing in a direction of prevailing winds from the local IP (p value = 0.094) and who gave birth during fall-winter season (p value = 0.024). Women complaining on disturbing exposure to noise had lower CP (p value = 0.015), compared to other women. CP was not indicative of neonatal morbidity. However, our findings suggest that CP of umbilical cord might be modified by environmental exposures. A long-term follow-up of the children is required to assess their developmental outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novack
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Genetic Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Manor
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Genetic Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gurevich
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Maayan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yitshak-Sade
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Department of Neonatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Batia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sarov
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Reli
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
authors.affiliation: Obstetric Emergency Room and Delivery Wards, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dukler
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Genetic Institute, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheba, Israel.
authors.forename: Tali
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vodonos
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel ; Environmental Epidemiology Department, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karakis
keywords: Biomarkers; Cell proliferation; Environmental exposure; Pregnancy; Umbilical cord