Year: 2014
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: The Navigation Guide methodology was developed to meet the need for a robust method of systematic and transparent research synthesis in environmental health science.We conducted a case study systematic review to support proof of concept of the method.oBjective: We applied the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology to determine whether developmental exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) affects fetal growth in humans.Methods: We applied the first 3 steps of the Navigation Guide methodology to human epidemiological data: 1) specify the study question, 2) select the evidence, and 3) rate the quality and strength of the evidence.We developed a protocol, conducted a comprehensive search of the literature, and identified relevant studies using pre specified criteria.We evaluated each study for risk of bias and conducted meta-analyses on a subset of studies.We rated quality and strength of the entire body of human evidence.results: We identified 18 human studies that met our inclusion criteria, and 9 of these were combined through meta-analysis.Through meta-analysis, we estimated that a 1-ng/mL increase in serum or plasma PFOA was associated with a -18.9 g (95% CI: -29.8, -7.9) difference in birth weight.We concluded that the risk of bias across studies was low, and we assigned a "moderate" quality rating to the overall body of human evidence.conclusion: On the basis of this first application of the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology, we concluded that there is "sufficient" human evidence that developmental exposure to PFOA reduces fetal growth.
Authors: PI Johnson, Patrice Sutton, Dylan S. Atchley, Erica Koustas, Janice Lam, Satadru Sen, Kenneth J. Robinson, Daniel A. Axelrad, TJ Woodruff
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Johnson Family Foundation, Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, Kaiser Permanente, Office of Research and Development, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, University of California, San Francisco, National Center For Environmental Assessment
Award: G2095280797
OpenAlex ID: W2768990240