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DRINKING WATER ARSENIC AND PERINATAL OUTCOMES
Citation:
LOBDELL, D. T., R. K. Kwok, J L. Mumford, Z. Liu, P Mendola, AND Z. Ning. DRINKING WATER ARSENIC AND PERINATAL OUTCOMES. Presented at 37th Annual Society for Epidemiologic Research, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 15-18, 2004.
Description:
Drinking Water Arsenic and Perinatal Outcomes
DT Lobdell, Z Ning, RK Kwok, JL Mumford, ZY Liu, P Mendola
Many studies have documented an association between drinking water arsenic (DWA) and cancer, vascular diseases, and dermatological outcomes, but few have investigated the potential adverse effects of DWA on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. This study examined the relation, if any, between DWA exposure and adverse perinatal outcomes in the Bayingnormen (BaMen) region of Inner Mongolia, China. Two public health data sources, the Examination Chart for Pregnant Women and a DWA well database, were linked for three counties in BaMen. All pregnant women who delivered a singleton infant between December 1, 1996-December 31,1999 and had a subvillage measurement for DWA were included in the analyses (n=5,794). Categories of DWA were developed based on the distribution observed (below limit of detection-20 ?g/L(reference), 21-50 ?g/L, 51-100 ?g/L, >100 ?g/L). The relations between DWA and low birthweight (<2.5 kg), preterm delivery (<37 weeks gestation), stillborn delivery, and neonatal mortality (newborn death on or before 28 days post delivery) were examined by logistic regression. DWA was not associated with a significant increase in low birthweight, stillborn delivery, or neonatal mortality. A significant increase risk in preterm delivery was observed for DWA category of 51-100 ?g/L (Odds ratio=8.34; 95% confidence interval 1.05, 66.12) but the overall rate of preterm delivery was lower than expected (2.1%). Results from this study suggest there may be an increased risk of preterm delivery associated with exposure to DWA >50 ?g/L but low numbers of preterm infants impacted precision and made the magnitude of potential risks difficult to estimate. (This is an abstract of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.)