Serum Concentrations of Selected Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Pregnant Women and Associations with Birth Outcomes. A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern Malawi

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Jan 17;20(3):1689. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20031689.

Abstract

Pervasive exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) shows associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the determinants of different serum PFAS concentrations in late pregnancy and their relationship with birth outcomes in southern Malawi. The sample included 605 pregnant women with a mean age of 24.8 years and their offspring from three districts in the southern region of Malawi. Six PFAS were measured in serum from third-trimester women. The serum PFAS concentrations were assessed with head circumference, birth length, birth weight, gestational age and ponderal index. Participants living in urban areas had significantly higher serum levels of PFOA, PFNA and SumPFOS, while SumPFHxS concentrations were higher in women from rural settings. High PFOA, PFNA and SumPFHxS concentrations were generally inversely associated with head circumference. Birth length was negatively associated with PFOA and PFNA while SumPFHxS was negatively associated with birth weight. SumPFOS was inversely associated with gestational age. Urban area of residence was the strongest predictor for high PFAS concentrations in the maternal serum and was generally associated with adverse birth outcomes. The results highlight the need to investigate SumPFHxS further as it follows a pattern that is different to similar compounds and cohorts.

Keywords: birth outcomes; poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances; southern Malawi.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids*
  • Birth Weight
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Pollutants*
  • Female
  • Fluorocarbons*
  • Humans
  • Malawi
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome / epidemiology
  • Pregnant Women
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Fluorocarbons
  • Alkanesulfonic Acids

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) grant number 90380701 and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority (Helse Nord) grant number 2019/995. The funders had no role in study design or the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. They also had no role in writing the manuscript or in the decision to publish the results.