Blood Biomarkers of Late Pregnancy Exposure to Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water and Fetal Growth Measures and Gestational Age in a Chinese Cohort.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested that elevated exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water during gestation may result in adverse birth outcomes. However, the findings of these studies remain inconclusive.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to examine the association between blood biomarkers of late pregnancy exposure to trihalomethanes (THMs) in drinking water and fetal growth and gestational age.


METHODS
We recruited 1,184 pregnant women between 2011 and 2013 in Wuhan and Xiaogan City, Hubei, China. Maternal blood THM concentrations, including chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and bromoform (TBM), were measured as exposure biomarkers during late pregnancy. We estimated associations with gestational age and fetal growth indicators [birth weight, birth length, and small for gestational age (SGA)].


RESULTS
Total THMs (TTHMs; sum of TCM, BDCM, DBCM, and TBM) were associated with lower mean birth weight (-60.9 g; 95% CI: -116.2, -5.6 for the highest vs. lowest tertile; p for trend = 0.03), and BDCM and DBCM exposures were associated with smaller birth length (e.g., -0.20 cm; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.04 for the highest vs. lowest tertile of DBCM; p for trend = 0.02). SGA was increased in association with the second and third tertiles of TTHMs (OR = 2.91; 95% CI: 1.32, 6.42 and OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.01, 5.03; p for trend = 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggested that elevated maternal THM exposure may adversely affect fetal growth.


BACKGROUND
Cao WC, Zeng Q, Luo Y, Chen HX, Miao DY, Li L, Cheng YH, Li M, Wang F, You L, Wang YX, Yang P, Lu WQ. 2016. Blood biomarkers of late pregnancy exposure to trihalomethanes in drinking water and fetal growth measures and gestational age in a Chinese cohort. Environ Health Perspect 124:536-541; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1409234.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
Wen-Cheng
WC
Cao
Qiang
Q
Zeng
Yan
Y
Luo
Hai-Xia
HX
Chen
Dong-Yue
DY
Miao
Li
L
Li
Ying-Hui
YH
Cheng
Min
M
Li
Fan
F
Wang
Ling
L
You
Yi-Xin
YX
Wang
Pan
P
Yang
Wen-Qing
WQ
Lu
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D002681:China; D015331:Cohort Studies; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D022882:Trihalomethanes / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D060766:Drinking Water; D022882:Trihalomethanes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical