Novel trace elements detected in multiple stages of pregnancy impact neonatal birth weight by affecting gestational age

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety Vol. 249; p. 114475
• Main Authors: Wei, Liangmin, Chen, Xin, Huang, Hui, Zhang, Ruyang, Shen, Sipeng, Duan, Weiwei, Su, Li, Yu, Hao, Christiani, David C., Wei, Yongyue, Chen, Feng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Inc 01.01.2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Bangladesh; Environmental exposure; Gestational age; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Low birth weight; Trace elements; Mn; Cd; Mo; Co; Gestational age; Rb; Cu; As; Zn; FDR; U; Tl; 95% CI; BMI; Fe; Ba; Hg; LOD; Environmental exposure; Low birth weight; Sb; Bangladesh; CV; Trace elements; ICP-MS; Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Sr
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114475

Prenatal exposure to elements may be associated with birth weight via shortening of gestation. This study aimed to determine if prenatal exposure is associated with birth weight, and to explore the potential mediating role of gestational age in the association. Within an established Bangladesh prospective birth cohort (2008–2011), we analyzed the concentrations of 15 elements in maternal serum samples collected during the first (n = 780) and second (n = 610) trimesters using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mediation analyses explored the relationships between these elements, gestational age, and birth weight. Serum concentrations of cobalt (Co) (first trimester: b = 56.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.5–99.0; false discovery rate [FDR]-q = 0.035; second trimester: b = 73.3; 95% CI: 20.4–130.2; FDR-q = 0.037) and antimony (Sb) in both trimesters (first trimester:b = 92.1; 95% CI: 66.0–118.9; FDR-q < 0.001; second trimester: b = 93.3; 95% CI: 67.3–118.4; FDR-q < 0.001), and strontium (Sr) in the first trimester (b = 142.4; 95% CI: 41.6–247.9; FDR-q = 0.035) were positively associated with birth weight, while negative associations were observed for barium (Ba) (first trimester: b = −154.8; 95% CI: −217.9 to 91.8; FDR-q <0.001; second trimester: b = −26.7; 95% CI: −44.9 to 10.2; FDR-q < 0.001). These elements act partially by affecting gestation age and appear to have heightened impact among smaller infants. Further research is needed to determine the biological underpinnings of these effects, which may inform strategies to avert low birth weight. •Co, Sr, and Sb may be beneficial as nutritional supplements for pregnant women.•Ba exerted adverse effects on fetal development.•Co, Sr, and Ba acted partially by affecting gestation age.•Associations between Co, Sr, and Ba and birthweight varied across percentiles.