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Evans SP, Ailes EC, Kramer MR, Shumate CJ, Reefhuis J, Insaf TZ, Yazdy MM, Carmichael SL, Romitti PA, Feldkamp ML, Neo DT, Nembhard WN, Shaw GM, Palmi E, Gilboa SM. Neighborhood Deprivation and Neural Tube Defects. Epidemiology 2023; 34:774-785. [PMID: 37757869 PMCID: PMC10928547 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0000000000001655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individual measures of socioeconomic status (SES) have been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs); however, the association between neighborhood SES and NTD risk is unknown. Using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) from 1997 to 2011, we investigated the association between measures of census tract SES and NTD risk. METHODS The study population included 10,028 controls and 1829 NTD cases. We linked maternal addresses to census tract SES measures and used these measures to calculate the neighborhood deprivation index. We used generalized estimating equations to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimating the impact of quartiles of census tract deprivation on NTDs adjusting for maternal race-ethnicity, maternal education, and maternal age at delivery. RESULTS Quartiles of higher neighborhood deprivation were associated with NTDs when compared with the least deprived quartile (Q2: aOR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0, 1.4; Q3: aOR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1, 1.5; Q4 (highest): aOR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.0, 1.4). Results for spina bifida were similar; however, estimates for anencephaly and encephalocele were attenuated. Associations differed by maternal race-ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that residing in a census tract with more socioeconomic deprivation is associated with an increased risk for NTDs, specifically spina bifida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Pruitt Evans
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
- Eagle Global Scientific LLC, San Antonio, TX
| | - Elizabeth C. Ailes
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Michael R. Kramer
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Charles J. Shumate
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX
| | - Jennita Reefhuis
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
| | - Tabassum Z. Insaf
- New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY
- School of Public Health, University at Albany, Rensselaer, NY
| | - Mahsa M. Yazdy
- Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Suzan L. Carmichael
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Paul A. Romitti
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
| | - Marcia L. Feldkamp
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Dayna T. Neo
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Wendy N. Nembhard
- Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR
| | - Gary M. Shaw
- Division of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Elizabeth Palmi
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Suzanne M. Gilboa
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Payne-Sturges DC, Taiwo TK, Ellickson K, Mullen H, Tchangalova N, Anderko L, Chen A, Swanson M. Disparities in Toxic Chemical Exposures and Associated Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Scoping Review and Systematic Evidence Map of the Epidemiological Literature. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:96001. [PMID: 37754677 PMCID: PMC10525348 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are routinely exposed to chemicals known or suspected of harming brain development. Targeting Environmental Neuro-Development Risks (Project TENDR), an alliance of > 50 leading scientists, health professionals, and advocates, is working to protect children from these toxic chemicals and pollutants, especially the disproportionate exposures experienced by children from families with low incomes and families of color. OBJECTIVE This scoping review was initiated to map existing literature on disparities in neurodevelopmental outcomes for U.S. children from population groups who have been historically economically/socially marginalized and exposed to seven exemplar neurotoxicants: combustion-related air pollution (AP), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), phthalates (Phth), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). METHODS Systematic literature searches for the seven exemplar chemicals, informed by the Population, Exposure, Comparator, Outcome (PECO) framework, were conducted through 18 November 2022, using PubMed, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), GreenFILE (EBSCO), and Web of Science sources. We examined these studies regarding authors' conceptualization and operationalization of race, ethnicity, and other indicators of sociodemographic and socioeconomic disadvantage; whether studies presented data on exposure and outcome disparities and the patterns of those disparities; and the evidence of effect modification by or interaction with race and ethnicity. RESULTS Two hundred twelve individual studies met the search criteria and were reviewed, resulting in 218 studies or investigations being included in this review. AP and Pb were the most commonly studied exposures. The most frequently identified neurodevelopmental outcomes were cognitive and behavioral/psychological. Approximately a third (74 studies) reported investigations of interactions or effect modification with 69% (51 of 74 studies) reporting the presence of interactions or effect modification. However, less than half of the studies presented data on disparities in the outcome or the exposure, and fewer conducted formal tests of heterogeneity. Ninety-two percent of the 165 articles that examined race and ethnicity did not provide an explanation of their constructs for these variables, creating an incomplete picture. DISCUSSION As a whole, the studies we reviewed indicated a complex story about how racial and ethnic minority and low-income children may be disproportionately harmed by exposures to neurotoxicants, and this has implications for targeting interventions, policy change, and other necessary investments to eliminate these health disparities. We provide recommendations on improving environmental epidemiological studies on environmental health disparities. To achieve environmental justice and health equity, we recommend concomitant strategies to eradicate both neurotoxic chemical exposures and systems that perpetuate social inequities. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11750.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristie Ellickson
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Haley Mullen
- Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Laura Anderko
- M. Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aimin Chen
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Fong KC, Heo S, Lim CC, Kim H, Chan A, Lee W, Stewart R, Choi HM, Son JY, Bell ML. The Intersection of Immigrant and Environmental Health: A Scoping Review of Observational Population Exposure and Epidemiologic Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:96001. [PMID: 36053724 PMCID: PMC9438924 DOI: 10.1289/ehp9855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transnational immigration has increased since the 1950s. In countries such as the United States, immigrants now account for > 15 % of the population. Although differences in health between immigrants and nonimmigrants are well documented, it is unclear how environmental exposures contribute to these disparities. OBJECTIVES We summarized current knowledge comparing immigrants' and nonimmigrants' exposure to and health effects of environmental exposures. METHODS We conducted a title and abstract review on articles identified through PubMed and selected those that assessed environmental exposures or health effects separately for immigrants and nonimmigrants. After a full text review, we extracted the main findings from eligible studies and categorized each article as exposure-focused, health-focused, or both. We also noted each study's exposure of interest, study location, exposure and statistical methods, immigrant and comparison groups, and the intersecting socioeconomic characteristics controlled for. RESULTS We conducted a title and abstract review on 3,705 articles, a full text review on 84, and extracted findings from 50 studies. There were 43 studies that investigated exposure (e.g., metals, organic compounds, fine particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants) disparities, but only 12 studies that assessed health disparities (e.g., mortality, select morbidities). Multiple studies reported higher exposures in immigrants compared with nonimmigrants. Among immigrants, studies sometimes observed exposure disparities by country of origin and time since immigration. Of the 50 studies, 43 were conducted in North America. DISCUSSION The environmental health of immigrants remains an understudied area, especially outside of North America. Although most identified studies explored potential exposure disparities, few investigated subsequent differences in health effects. Future research should investigate environmental health disparities of immigrants, especially outside North America. Additional research gaps include the role of immigrants' country of origin and time since immigration, as well as the combined effects of immigrant status with intersecting socioeconomic characteristics, such as race/ethnicity, income, and education attainment. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP9855.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin C. Fong
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Seulkee Heo
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chris C. Lim
- Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Honghyok Kim
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Alisha Chan
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- School of Engineering & Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Whanhee Lee
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Rory Stewart
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Ji-Young Son
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michelle L. Bell
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Al Noaimi G, Yunis K, El Asmar K, Abu Salem FK, Afif C, Ghandour LA, Hamandi A, Dhaini HR. Prenatal exposure to criteria air pollutants and associations with congenital anomalies: A Lebanese national study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 281:117022. [PMID: 33813197 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Maternal exposure to air pollution has been associated with a higher birth defect (BD) risk. Previous studies suffer from inaccurate exposure assessment methods, confounding individual-level variations, and classical analytical modelling. This study aimed to examine the association between maternal exposure to criteria air pollutants and BD risk. A total of 553 cases and 10,214 controls were identified from private and public databases. Two subgroups were then formed: one for a matched case-control design, and another for Feature Selection (FS) analysis. Exposure assessment was based on the mean air pollutant-specific levels in the mother's residential area during the specific BD gestational time window of risk (GTWR) and other time intervals. Multivariate regression models outcomes consistently showed a significant protective effect for folic acid intake and highlighted parental consanguinity as a strong BD risk factor. After adjusting for these putative risk factors and other covariates, results show that maternal exposure to PM2.5 during the first trimester is significantly associated with a higher overall BD risk (OR:1.05, 95%CI:1.01-1.09), and with a higher risk of genitourinary defects (GUD) (OR:1.06, 95%CI:1.01-1.11) and neural tube defects (NTD) (OR:1.10, 95%CI:1.03-1.17) during specific GTWRs. Maternal exposure to NO2 during GTWR exhibited a significant protective effect for NTD (OR:0.94, 95%CI:0.90-0.99), while all other examined associations were not statistically significant. Additionally, maternal exposure to SO2 during GTWR showed a significant association with a higher GUD risk (OR:1.17, 95%CI:1.08-1.26). When limiting selection to designated monitor coverage radiuses, PM2.5 maintained significance with BD risk and showed a significant gene-environment interaction for GUD (p = 0.018), while NO2 protective effect expanded to other subtypes. On the other hand, FS analysis confirmed maternal exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 as important features for GUD, CHD, and NTD. Our findings, set the basis for building a novel BD risk prediction model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaliya Al Noaimi
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Khalid Yunis
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Khalil El Asmar
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Fatima K Abu Salem
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Charbel Afif
- EMMA Laboratory, Center for Analysis and Research, Faculty of Science, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon; Climate and Atmosphere Research Center, The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Lilian A Ghandour
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Ahmad Hamandi
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Hassan R Dhaini
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
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Wahbeh F, Manyama M. The role of Vitamin B12 and genetic risk factors in the etiology of neural tube defects: A systematic review. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:386-406. [PMID: 33851436 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are birth defects that arise during embryogenesis when normal neural tube closure fails to occur. According to the World Health Organization, NTDs are detected annually in approximately 300,000 neonates worldwide. The exact etiology of NTDs remains complex and poorly understood. It is generally agreed that most NTD cases are of multifactorial origin, having a combination of multiple genes and a number of environmental risk factors. The role of folic acid, vitamin B12 deficiency, genetics and other risk factors, in the etiology of NTDs, has also been extensively studied. This knowledge synthesis brings together different types of evidence to update the role of vitamin B12 deficiency, genetics and other risk factors, in the etiology of NTDs. Following a PubMed search and screening for relevant articles, we included 40 studies in our review (30 case-control studies, 3 cross-sectional studies, 5 cohort studies, and 2 case reports). The available data showed that vitamin B12 levels were decreased in mothers and infants in NTD groups compared with control groups. Holo-transcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12, was also found in lower levels in mothers with NTD-affected infants. Several studies reported elevated homocysteine levels in mothers and infants in NTD groups. Additionally, numerous studies reported links between genetic variants and increased NTD risk. These genes include GIF, LRP2, CUBN, TCb1R, MTHFR, and others. Several maternal factors have also been linked with significant NTD risk such as BMI, maternal diet, air pollutants, low maternal age, and many others. The majority of studies on NTDs have focused on the role of folic acid, hence there is a need for well-designed studies on the role of other risk factors like vitamin B12 deficiency in the etiology of NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Wahbeh
- Division of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mange Manyama
- Division of Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Yin C, Cai H, Yang D, Jian Y, Zhang J, Li Z, Wang D. Cigarette smoke induced neural tube defects by down-regulating noggin expression. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:5-13. [PMID: 32949110 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal smoking or passive smoking during gestation increases the risk of congenital birth defects, including neural tube defects (NTDs). Cigarette smoke is a recognized teratogen that causes NTDs, although the mechanisms are not well understood. METHODS An established model of passive smoking in pregnant golden hamsters was used to observe the effect of cigarette smoke on neural tube development using scanning electron microscopy. Level of noggin expression in placenta and neural tube was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our results indicated that cigarette smoke can cause the neural tube closure of the golden hamster embryo to be delayed or not closed. In normal placental tissues noggin protein and RNA levels were highly expressed, and the expression level in the term placenta was lower than in that of the first trimester or second trimester through analyzing the Human Protein Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Cigarette smoke can down-regulate noggin expression in the placenta and promote cell apoptosis. We observed that noggin expression was reduced and BMP2 expression was increased by cigarette smoke. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette smoke may cause cell apoptosis and accelerate placenta maturation. Meanwhile, cigarette smoke may inhibit the development of the embryo, and lead to the formation of NTDs via downregulating the expression of noggin and dis-inhibition of BMP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhui Yin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Heng Cai
- Department of introduction to medicine, School of basic medicine, Shandong first medical university & Shandong academy of medical sciences, Shandong, China
| | - Dandan Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Yi Jian
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Centre, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Krajewski AK, Rappazzo KM, Langlois PH, Messer LC, Lobdell DT. Associations between cumulative environmental quality and ten selected birth defects in Texas. Birth Defects Res 2020; 113:161-172. [PMID: 32864854 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Causes of most birth defects are largely unknown. Genetics, maternal factors (e.g., age, smoking) and environmental exposures have all been linked to some birth defects, including neural tube, oral cleft, limb reduction, and gastroschisis; however, the contribution of cumulative exposures across several environmental domains in association with these defects is not well understood. METHODS The Environmental Quality Index (EQI) and its domains (air, water, land, sociodemographic, built) were used to estimate county-level cumulative environmental exposures from 2006-2010 and matched to birth defects identified from Texas Birth Defects Registry and live birth records from births in years 2007-2010 (N = 1,610,709). Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between 10 birth defects and the EQI. RESULTS We observed some positive associations between worst environmental quality and neural tube, anencephaly, spina bifida, oral cleft, cleft palate, cleft lip with and without cleft palate, and gastroschisis [PR range: 1.12-1.55], but near null associations with limb reduction defects. Among domain specific results, we observed the strongest positive associations with the sociodemographic domain across birth defects but varied positive associations among the air and water domains, and negative or null associations with the land and built domains. Overall, few exposure-response patterns were evident. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the complexities of cumulative, simultaneous environmental exposures in the prevalence rates of 10 selected birth defects. We were able to explore the impact of overall and domain specific environmental quality on birth defects and identify potential domain specific drivers of these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K Krajewski
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Postdoctoral Fellow at United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kristen M Rappazzo
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Austin, Texas, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health - Austin Regional Campus, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Danelle T Lobdell
- US EPA, Office of Research and Development, Center of Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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Kirby RS, Mai CT, Wingate MS, Janevic T, Copeland GE, Flood TJ, Isenburg J, Canfield MA. Prevalence of selected birth defects by maternal nativity status, United States, 1999-2007. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:630-639. [PMID: 30920179 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated differences in prevalence of major birth defects by maternal nativity within racial/ethnic groups for 27 major birth defects. METHODS Data from 11 population-based birth defects surveillance systems in the United States including almost 13 million live births (approximately a third of U.S. births) during 1999-2007 were pooled. We calculated prevalence estimates for each birth defect for five racial/ethnic groups. Using Poisson regression, crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were also calculated using births to US-born mothers as the referent group in each racial/ethnic group. RESULTS Approximately 20% of case mothers and 26% of all mothers were foreign-born. Elevated aPRs for infants with foreign-born mothers were found for spina bifida and trisomy 13, 18, and 21, while lower prevalence patterns were found for pyloric stenosis, gastroschisis, and hypospadias. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that birth defects prevalence varies by nativity within race/ethnic groups, with elevated prevalence ratios for some specific conditions and lower prevalence for others. More detailed analyses focusing on a broader range of maternal behaviors and characteristics are required to fully understand the implications of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell S Kirby
- Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Cara T Mai
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Martha S Wingate
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Teresa Janevic
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.,Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Glenn E Copeland
- Michigan Birth Defects Surveillance Program, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, Michigan
| | - Timothy J Flood
- Arizona Birth Defects Monitoring Program, Arizona Department of Health Services, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - Jennifer Isenburg
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
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White JT, Kovar E, Chambers TM, Sheth KR, Peckham-Gregory EC, O'Neill M, Langlois PH, Jorgez CJ, Lupo PJ, Seth A. Hypospadias Risk from Maternal Residential Exposure to Heavy Metal Hazardous Air Pollutants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E930. [PMID: 30875870 PMCID: PMC6466330 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16060930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Investigate whether residential prenatal exposure to heavy metal hazardous air pollutants (HMHAPs) is associated with an increased risk of hypospadias. Methods: Data on non-syndromic hypospadias cases (n = 8981) and control patients delivered in Texas were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and matched 1:10 by birth year. Average exposure concentrations of HMHAPs were obtained from the 2005 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment and categorized into quintiles. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. STROBE reporting guidelines were followed. Results: We observed associations between hypospadias and prenatal HMHAP exposure. Manganese demonstrated significant increased risk of hypospadias at the medium, medium-high and high exposure quintiles; lead in the medium-high and high exposure quintiles. Cadmium, mercury and nickel demonstrated a significant inverted "U-shaped" association for exposures with significant associations in the medium and medium-high quintiles but not in the medium-low and high quintiles. Arsenic and chromium demonstrated a significant bivalent association for risk of hypospadias in a lower quintile as well as a higher quintile with non-significant intermediate quintiles. Conclusions: Using data from one of the world's largest active surveillance birth defects registries, we identified significant associations between hypospadias and HMHAP exposures. These results should be used in counseling for maternal demographic risk factors as well as avoidance of heavy metals and their sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey T White
- Pediatric Urology, Norton Children's Hospital, Louisville, KY 40207, USA.
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Erin Kovar
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Tiffany M Chambers
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Kunj R Sheth
- Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Erin C Peckham-Gregory
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Marisol O'Neill
- Department Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78751, USA.
| | - Carolina J Jorgez
- Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Abhishek Seth
- Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Urology, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Giovannini N, Cetera GE, Signorelli V, Parazzini F, Baini I, Cipriani S, Cetin I. Carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric dioxide (NO 2) exposure during fetal life: impact on neonatal and placental weight, a prospective study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 33:2137-2141. [PMID: 30409092 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1542425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: This prospective study aims to analyze how CO and NO2 exposure during pregnancy affects birth and placental weight as well as umbilical arterial pH.Study design: The population in study includes 3614 women born in Italy, living in Lombardia Region, consecutively admitted to the Clinica Mangiagalli for an elective cesarean section from January 2004 to December 2006. Outdoor air quality data was provided by the Department of the Regional Environmental Protection Agency and obtained by a network of fixed monitoring stations distributed in eight geographical areas across the region.Results: A positive association was found between birth weight and the concentration of CO to whom women were exposed during the last 10 d of pregnancy (mean change g + 28, 95% CI +1 to +55, p .04). Conversely, placental weight was not influenced by exposure to CO while a statistically significant weight reduction was related to an increase in NO2 exposure during the last trimester of pregnancy.Conclusion: Fetal weight was positively associated with an increased exposure to CO during the last 10 d of pregnancy. NO2 exposure was associated to a placental weight reduction. These findings underline the existence of a complex biological role of such pollutants, especially of CO, in cell oxygenation at a placental level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Giovannini
- Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Emily Cetera
- Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Signorelli
- Dipartimento Materno Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Ospdeale dei Bambini V. Buzzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Parazzini
- Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Istituto Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Baini
- Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Sonia Cipriani
- Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica Ginecologica, IRCCS Fondazione Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Istituto Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy
| | - Irene Cetin
- Dipartimento Materno Infantile, Clinica Ostetrica, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Ospdeale dei Bambini V. Buzzi, Milan, Italy
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Huang H, Tornero-Velez R, Barzyk TM. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and chemical concentrations contributing to cumulative exposures in the United States. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2017; 27:544-550. [PMID: 28901325 PMCID: PMC6733034 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2017.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Association rule mining (ARM) has been widely used to identify associations between various entities in many fields. Although some studies have utilized it to analyze the relationship between chemicals and human health effects, fewer have used this technique to identify and quantify associations between environmental and social stressors. Socio-demographic variables were generated based on U.S. Census tract-level income, race/ethnicity population percentage, education level, and age information from the 2010-2014, 5-Year Summary files in the American Community Survey (ACS) database, and chemical variables were generated by utilizing the 2011 National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) census tract-level air pollutant exposure concentration data. Six mobile- and industrial-source pollutants were chosen for analysis, including acetaldehyde, benzene, cyanide, particulate matter components of diesel engine emissions (namely, diesel PM), toluene, and 1,3-butadiene. ARM was then applied to quantify and visualize the associations between the chemical and socio-demographic variables. Census tracts with a high percentage of racial/ethnic minorities and populations with low income tended to have higher estimated chemical exposure concentrations (fourth quartile), especially for diesel PM, 1,3-butadiene, and toluene. In contrast, census tracts with an average population age of 40-50 years, a low percentage of racial/ethnic minorities, and moderate-income levels were more likely to have lower estimated chemical exposure concentrations (first quartile). Unsupervised data mining methods can be used to evaluate potential associations between environmental inequalities and social disparities, while providing support in public health decision-making contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtai Huang
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, USA
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Rogelio Tornero-Velez
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - Timothy M Barzyk
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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