Prenatal exposure to nitrates in drinking water and low birthweight: A population-based cohort study from Denmark, 1991-2011
Year: 2019
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: PDS 63: Chemicals and metals: health effects, Exhibition Hall (PDS), Ground floor, August 27, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Background/Aim: Findings from studies examining the effects of prenatal exposure to nitrate on fetal growth restriction have been inconsistent, small, and mostly ecologic in nature. The aim of this study was to assess maternal exposure to nitrates in drinking water and fetal growth restriction in a large population-based cohort study. Methods: Estimates of water contamination by nitrate at each maternal address during pregnancy were linked with individual-level birth registry data to create a cohort of 960,158 full-term singleton live births in Denmark during 1991-2011. The primary outcomes of interest were low birthweight (LBW) (<2500 grams) and birth weight (BW) at term (≥37 weeks of gestation). Logistic and linear regression models were used for LBW and BW respectively. Preliminary Results: In the cohort, the median nitrate exposure, averaged over the entire pregnancy, was 2.23 mg/L NO3-. The highest decile of exposure (≥10.5 mg/L NO3-) compared to the lowest (<0.53 mg/L NO3-) was associated with an increased odds of LBW (odds ratio (OR): 1.11; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.21) and a reduction of -9.32 grams BW (95% CI: -13.90, -4.74) in fully-adjusted models. This exposure-response was also observed for log-transformed continuous nitrate exposure in fully-adjusted models for both LBW and BW and when the analyses were restricted to those births with home nitrate levels below the current European Union regulatory standard (50 mg/L NO3-). Conclusions: In these preliminary findings, nitrate exposure was seen to be associated with an increased risk of LBW and reduced BW in full-term Danish-born children during 1991-2011. These findings suggest that current allowable level of nitrates in drinking water may not be sufficient to protect children from fetal growth restriction.
Source: Environmental Epidemiology
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W2981582663