Exposure to PFAS and small for gestational age new-borns: A birth records study in Veneto Region (Italy)

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 184; p. 109282
• Main Authors: Manea, Silvia, Salmaso, Laura, Lorenzoni, Giulia, Mazzucato, Monica, Russo, Francesca, Mantoan, Domenico, Martuzzi, Marco, Fletcher, Tony, Facchin, Paola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Fetal growth; Perfluoroalkylated substances; PFAS; SGA; Small for gestational age; Perfluoroalkylated substances; Fetal growth; Small for gestational age; SGA; PFAS
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109282

Perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) in serum are inversely associated with fetal growth. Small for gestational age (SGA) is a measure based on birth weight and gestational age at birth and represents a good indicator of fetal growth but it has been used only in a small number of studies. We examined the association between PFAS exposure and the risk of severe SGA in a PFAS contaminated area in the Veneto Region (North-East of Italy). A retrospective cohort study has been developed including all singleton live births reported in the Veneto Region Birth Registry between 2003 and 2018 to mothers living in the contaminated and in a control area. We estimated the association between mothers’ area of residence and severe SGA using crude RR (and 95% CI) and stepwise logistic regression, including all the maternal characteristics. The study included 105,114 singleton live births. The occurence of severe SGA was 3.44% in the contaminated area and 2.67% in the control area. The multivariate analysis confirmed that living in the contaminated area significantly increased the odds of severe SGA (adjusted OR 1.27 (95% C.I. 1.16, 1.39)). The findings suggest that living in a contaminated area by PFAS plays a role in affecting fetal growth and support the hypothesis that PFAS exposure is a risk factor for SGA. Individual data on exposure are needed to confirm the direct association. •PFAS contamination of water detected in 2013 in an area of Veneto Region.•Severe small for gestational age newborn (SGA) studied 2003 to 2018 by the Veneto Birth Registry.•Large number of observations and covariates.•Findings support that PFAS in drinking water are adversely associated with SGA.•Individual data on exposure are needed to confirm this observation.