Transcriptomic analysis reveals the effects of maternal exposure to bisphenol AF on hypothalamic development in male neonatal mice

Fragmented data suggest that bisphenol AF (BPAF), a chemical widely used in a variety of products, might have potential impacts on the hypothalamus. Here, we employed male neonatal mice following maternal exposure to explore the effects of low-dose BPAF on hypothalamic development by RNA-sequencing. We found that maternal exposure to approximately 50 µg/(kg·day) BPAF from postanal day (PND) 0 to PND 15 altered the hypothalamic transcriptome, primarily involving the pathways and genes associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) and intercellular adhesion, neuroendocrine regulation, and neurological processes. Further RNA analysis confirmed the changes in the expression levels of concerned genes. Importantly, we further revealed that low-dose BPAF posed a stimulatory impact on pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and induced the browning of inguinal white adipose tissue. All findings indicate that developmental exposure to low-dose BPAF could interfere with hypothalamic development and thereby lead to alterations in the metabolism. Interestingly, 5000 µg/(kg·day) BPAF caused slighter, non-significant or even inverse alterations than the low dose of 50 µg/(kg·day), displaying a dose-independent effect. Further observations suggest that the the dose-independent effects of BPAF might be associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses caused by the high dose. Overall, our study highlights a risk of low-dose BPAF to human neuroendocrine regulation and metabolism.

High ambient temperature may increase the risk of anemia in pregnancy: Identifying susceptible exposure windows

Anemia in pregnancy (AIP) is associated with multiple severe maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes. However, there is a lack of evidence on the association between environmental factors and AIP. Aim to explore the association between ambient temperature and the risk of AIP, and identify susceptible exposure windows, we conducted a matched case-control study from 2013 to 2016 in Xi'an, China, which included 710 women with AIP and 1420 women without AIP. The conditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between ambient temperature and AIP at different gestational weeks and gestational months. The association between extreme temperature and AIP was evaluated using the distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM). We conducted stratified analyses of age, parity, and season of conception, and estimated the interaction between ambient temperature and air pollutants on AIP. Ambient temperature was significantly positively associated with the risk of AIP, and the susceptible exposure windows were 2-25 gestational weeks and 1-6 gestational months, respectively. The strongest effect was observed in the week 8 and month 2, for each 1 °C increase in weekly and monthly mean temperature, the odds ratio (OR) for AIP was 1.038 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.022, 1.055) and 1.040 (95 % CI: 1.020, 1.060), respectively. Extreme heat may increase the risk of AIP. Stratified analyses showed that there was no significant difference among different age, parity, and season of conception groups. No significant interaction effect of ambient temperature with air pollution on AIP was found. In summary, high ambient temperature may increase the risk of AIP, and the first and second trimesters may be susceptible exposure windows. Understanding the effect of temperature on pregnant women will be beneficial to reduce the occurrence of AIP.

Maternal prednisone exposure during pregnancy elevates susceptibility to osteoporosis in female offspring: The role of mitophagy/FNDC5 alteration in skeletal muscle

Maternal exposure to glucocorticoids has been associated with adverse outcomes in offspring. However, the consequences and mechanisms of gestational exposure to prednisone on susceptibility to osteoporosis in the offspring remain unclear. Here, we found that gestational prednisone exposure enhanced susceptibility to osteoporosis in adult mouse offspring. In a further exploration of myogenic mechanisms, results showed that gestational prednisone exposure down-regulated FNDC5/irisin protein expression and activation of OPTN-dependent mitophagy in skeletal muscle of adult offspring. Additional experiments elucidated that activated mitophagy significantly inhibited the expression of FNDC5/irisin in skeletal muscle cells. Likewise, we observed delayed fetal bone development, downregulated FNDC5/irisin expression, and activated mitophagy in fetal skeletal muscle upon gestational prednisone exposure. In addition, an elevated total m6A level was observed in fetal skeletal muscle after gestational prednisone exposure. Finally, gestational supplementation with S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), an inhibitor of m6A activity, attenuated mitophagy and restored FNDC5/irisin expression in fetal skeletal muscle, which in turn reversed fetal bone development. Overall, these data indicate that gestational prednisone exposure increases m6A modification, activates mitophagy, and decreases FNDC5/irisin expression in skeletal muscle, thus elevating osteoporosis susceptibility in adult offspring. Our results provide a new perspective on the earlier prevention and treatment of fetal-derived osteoporosis.

Association of prenatal chlorpyrifos exposure with sexually dimorphic differences in anogenital distance among Thai farmworker children

Organophosphate (OP) insecticides are some of the most abundantly used insecticides, and prenatal exposures have been linked to adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Anogenital distance (AGD) has emerged as an early marker of androgen activity, and later reproductive outcomes, that is sensitive to alteration by environmental chemicals. Here, we examined associations between prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, an OP insecticide, with AGD. Pregnant farmworkers were enrolled in the Study of Asian Women and their Offspring's Development and Environmental Exposures (SAWASDEE; N = 104) between 2017 and 2019 in Northern Thailand. Concentrations of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), a specific metabolite of chlorpyrifos, were measured in composited urine samples obtained from each trimester of pregnancy. AGD was measured at 12 months of age. Sex-specific adjusted linear regression models were used to examine associations between average and trimester-specific TCPy levels and AGD. In adjusted models for females and males, increasing TCPy was consistently associated with a modest, non-significant reduction in AGD. Across both strata of sex, associations were greatest in magnitude for trimester 3 (females: β = -2.17, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = -4.99, 0.66; males: β = -3.02, 95 % CI = -6.39, 0.35). In the SAWASDEE study, prenatal chlorpyrifos exposure was not strongly associated with AGD at 12 months of age.

Transgenerational toxicity induced by maternal AFB1 exposure in Caenorhabditis elegans associated with underlying epigenetic regulations

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), usually seriously contaminates in grain and oil foods or feed, displayed significant acute and chronic toxic effects in human and animal populations. However, little is known about the transgenerational toxic effects induced by a maternal AFB1 intake at a lower dose on offspring. In our study, only parental wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans was exposed to AFB1 (0-8 μg/ml) and the following three filial generations were grown on AFB1-free NGM. Results showed that the toxic effects of AFB1 on the growth (body length) and reproduction (brood size, generation time and morphology of gonad arm) can be transmitted through generations. Moreover, the levels of MMP and ATP were irreversibly inhibited in the filial generations. By using RNomics and molecular biology techniques, we found that steroid biosynthesis, phagosome, valine/leucine/isoleucine biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation (p < 0.05) were the core signaling pathways to exert the transgenerational toxic effects on nematodes. Also, notably increased histone methylation level at H3K36me3 was observed in the first generation. Taken together, our study demonstrated that AFB1 has notable transgenerational toxic effects, which were resulted from the complex regulatory network of various miRNAs, mRNAs and epigenetic modification in C. elegans.

Maternal occupational exposure to carbonaceous nanoscale particles and neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood: Analysis of the French Longitudinal Study of Children - Elfe study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between occupational exposures to carbonaceous unintentionally emitted nanoscale particles (UNPs) during pregnancy and the child's language development and behaviour at two years old.

METHODS

Using data from the French Longitudinal Study of Childhood - ELFE, we selected mothers who worked during pregnancy and their children. Exposure to carbonaceous UNPs was assessed by the MatPUF (job-exposure matrix for ultrafine particles). Children's lexical development was analysed using 'the Mac Arthur - Bates communicative development inventories-words and sentences-short form' (MB-CDI) in a multivariate binary logistic regression. Their risk for autism spectrum disorders was studied using 'the Modified-CHecklist for Autism in Toddler' (M-CHAT) according to the recommended thresholds (low risk = 0-2; intermediate risk = 3-6 and high risk = 7-23) in unordered multinomial logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Maternal occupational exposure to carbonaceous UNPs was associated with delayed child language development (ORadj: 1.34; 95 % CI: 1.00, 1.80) but not with behavioural disorders (autism spectrum disorders) at two years old.

CONCLUSION

This is the first epidemiological study to show a significant association between maternal occupational exposure to carbonaceous nanoscale particles and child language development at 2 years old.

Paternal and maternal exposures to adverse childhood experiences and spontaneous fetal loss: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) might be associated with maternal spontaneous fetal loss, while evidence among Chinese population is limited. This study aims to explore the associations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among women and their spouses with the risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth.

METHOD

Data were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2014 survey. ACEs were categorized into intra-familial ACEs and extra-familial ACEs. The associations of maternal and paternal ACEs with women's history of spontaneous abortion and stillbirth were investigated by logistic regression.

RESULTS

7,742 women were included with 9.05% and 2.47% experiencing at least one spontaneous abortion or stillbirth, respectively. Women exposed to 2, 3, and ≥ 4 ACEs were at significantly higher odds of spontaneous abortion, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.52 (95% [CI, Confidence Interval] 1.10-2.10), 1.50 (95% CI 1.07-2.09) and 1.68 (95% CI 1.21-2.32), respectively. A significant association between ≥ 4 maternal intra-familial ACEs and stillbirth (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.12-4.42) was also revealed. Furthermore, paternal exposures to 3 and ≥ 4 overall ACEs were significantly associated with their wives' history of spontaneous abortion, with adjusted ORs of 1.81 (95% CI 1.01-3.26) and 1.83 (95% CI 1.03-3.25), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both maternal and paternal ACEs were associated with spontaneous abortion, and potential mediators might need to be considered to further explore impacts of maternal and paternal ACEs on maternal reproductive health.

Lower Perceived Neighborhood Collective Efficacy Indirectly Influences the Association Between Perceived Maternal Exposure to Community Violence and Household Food Insecurity

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Individuals of color and of low socioeconomic status are at greater risk of experiencing community violence and food insecurity, which are both influenced by neighborhood conditions. We evaluated neighborhood collective efficacy as a linkage between community violence exposure and household food insecurity.

METHODS

Mothers from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study who completed phone surveys when the child was 3 (time 1, T1) and 5 years old (time 2, T2) were included (n = 2068). A covariate-adjusted structural equation model estimated direct and indirect effects of community violence exposure on household food insecurity. A covariate-adjusted multiple mediator model estimated the indirect effects of the 2 neighborhood collective efficacy subscales (informal social control; social cohesion and trust).

RESULTS

At T1, 40% of mothers reported community violence exposure; 15% experienced food insecurity at T2. Mean neighborhood collective efficacy (range 1-5) at T1 was 2.44 (SD = 0.94). Neighborhood collective efficacy indirectly influenced the association between community violence exposure and food insecurity (indirect effect = 0.022, 95% CI = 0.007 to 0.040). Only social cohesion and trust contributed independent variance to the indirect effect model (indirect effect = 0.028, 95% CI = 0.001 to 0.056).

CONCLUSIONS

Community-based efforts to reduce household food insecurity should emphasize building social cohesion and trust in communities experiencing violence.

Ambient air temperature exposure and foetal size and growth in three European birth cohorts

INTRODUCTION

Ambient air temperature may affect birth outcomes adversely, but little is known about their impact on foetal growth throughout pregnancy. We evaluated the association between temperature exposure during pregnancy and foetal size and growth in three European birth cohorts.

METHODS

We studied 23,408 pregnant women from the English Born in Bradford cohort, Dutch Generation R Study, and Spanish INMA Project. Using the UrbClimTM model, weekly ambient air temperature exposure at 100x100m resolution at the mothers' residences during pregnancy was calculated. Estimated foetal weight, head circumference, and femur length at mid and late pregnancy and weight, head circumference, and length at birth were converted into standard deviation scores (SDS). Foetal growth from mid to late pregnancy was calculated (grams or centimetres/week). Cohort/region-specific distributed lag non-linear models were combined using a random-effects meta-analysis and results presented in reference to the median percentile of temperature (14 °C).

RESULTS

Weekly temperatures ranged from -5.6 (Bradford) to 30.3 °C (INMA-Sabadell). Cold and heat exposure during weeks 1-28 were associated with a smaller and larger head circumference in late pregnancy, respectively (e.g., for 9.5 °C: -1.6 SDS [95 %CI -2.0; -0.4] and for 20.0 °C: 1.8 SDS [0.7; 2.9]). A susceptibility period from weeks 1-7 was identified for cold exposure and a smaller head circumference at late pregnancy. Cold exposure was associated with a slower head circumference growth from mid to late pregnancy (for 5.5 °C: -0.1 cm/week [-0.2; -0.04]), with a susceptibility period from weeks 4-12. No associations that survived multiple testing correction were found for other foetal or any birth outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Cumulative exposure to cold and heat during pregnancy was associated with changes in foetal head circumference throughout gestation, with susceptibility periods for cold during the first pregnancy trimester. No associations were found at birth, suggesting potential recovery. Future research should replicate this study across different climatic regions including varying temperature profiles.

Maternal exposure to metals and time-to-pregnancy: The MIREC cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between maternal exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and mercury, time-to-pregnancy (TTP) and infertility.

DESIGN

Pregnancy-based retrospective TTP cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitals and clinics from ten cities across Canada.

POPULATION

A total of 1784 pregnant women.

METHODS

Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, manganese and mercury were measured in maternal whole blood during the first trimester of pregnancy as a proxy of preconception exposure. Discrete-time Cox proportional hazards models generated fecundability odds ratios (FOR) for the association between metals and TTP. Logistic regression generated odds ratios (OR) for the association between metals and infertility. Models were adjusted for maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, education, income, recruitment site and plasma lipids.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

TTP was self-reported as the number of months of unprotected intercourse to become pregnant. Infertility was defined as TTP longer than 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 1784 women were eligible for the analysis. Mean ± SD maternal age and gestational age at interview were 32.2 ± 5.0 years, and 11.6 ± 1.6 weeks, respectively. Exposure to arsenic, cadmium, manganese or mercury was not associated with TTP or infertility. Increments of one standard deviation of lead concentrations resulted in a shorter TTP (adjusted FOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16); however, the association was not linear when exposure was modelled in tertiles.

CONCLUSION

Blood concentrations of metals at typical levels of exposure among Canadian pregnant women were not associated with TTP or infertility. Further studies are needed to assess the role of lead, if any, on TTP.

Associations of parental preconception and maternal pregnancy urinary phthalate biomarker and bisphenol-a concentrations with child eating behaviors

BACKGROUND

Eating behaviors are controlled by the neuroendocrine system. Whether endocrine disrupting chemicals have the potential to affect eating behaviors has not been widely studied in humans. We investigated whether maternal and paternal preconception and maternal pregnancy urinary phthalate biomarker and bisphenol-A (BPA) concentrations were associated with children's eating behaviors.

METHODS

We used data from mother-father-child triads in the Preconception Environmental exposure And Childhood health Effects (PEACE) Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study of children aged 6-13 years whose parent(s) previously enrolled in a fertility clinic-based prospective preconception study. We quantified urinary concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites and BPA in parents' urine samples collected preconceptionally and during pregnancy. Parents rated children's eating behavior using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). Using multivariable linear regression, accounting for correlation among twins, we estimated covariate-adjusted associations of urinary phthalate biomarkers and BPA concentrations with CEBQ subscale scores.

RESULTS

This analysis included 195 children (30 sets of twins), 160 mothers and 97 fathers; children were predominantly non-Hispanic white (84%) and 53% were male. Paternal and maternal preconception monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations and maternal preconception mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) were positively associated with emotional overeating, food responsiveness, and desire to drink scores in children (β's= 0.11 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.20]-0.21 [95% CI: 0.10, 0.31] per loge unit increase in phthalate biomarker concentration). Paternal preconception BPA concentrations were inversely associated with scores on food approaching scales. Maternal pregnancy MnBP, mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) and MBzP concentrations were associated with increased emotional undereating scores. Maternal pregnancy monocarboxy-isononyl phthalate concentrations were related to decreased food avoiding subscale scores.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, higher maternal and paternal preconception urinary concentrations of some phthalate biomarkers were associated with increased food approaching behavior scores and decreased food avoiding behavior scores, which could lead to increased adiposity in children.

Analyzing the impact of phthalate and DINCH exposure on fetal growth in a cohort with repeated urine collection

BACKGROUND

Most previous studies investigating the associations between prenatal exposure to phthalates and fetal growth relied on measurements of phthalate metabolites at a single time point. They also focused on weight at birth without assessing growth over pregnancy, preventing the identification of potential periods of fetal vulnerability. We examined the associations between pregnancy urinary phthalate metabolites and fetal growth outcomes measured twice during pregnancy and at birth.

METHODS

For 484 pregnant women, we assessed 13 phthalate and two 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, diisononyl ester (DINCH) metabolite concentrations from two within-subject weekly pools of up to 21 urine samples (median of 18 and 34 gestational weeks, respectively). Fetal biparietal diameter, femur length, head and abdominal circumferences were measured during two routine pregnancy follow-up ultrasonographies (median 22 and 32 gestational weeks, respectively) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated. Newborn weight, length, and head circumference were measured at birth. Associations between phthalate/DINCH metabolite and growth parameters were investigated using adjusted linear regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression models.

RESULTS

Detection rates were above 99 % for all phthalate/DINCH metabolites. While no association was observed with birth measurements, mono-iso-butyl phthalate (MiBP) and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP) were positively associated with most fetal growth parameters measured at the second trimester. Specifically, MiBP was positively associated with biparietal diameter, head and abdominal circumferences, while MnBP was positively associated with EFW, head and abdominal circumferences, with stronger associations among males. Pregnancy MnBP was positively associated with biparietal diameter and femur length at third trimester. Mixture of phthalate/DINCH metabolites was positively associated with EFW at second trimester.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pregnancy cohort using repeated urine samples to assess exposure, MiBP and MnBP were associated with increased fetal growth parameters. Further investigation on the effects of phthalates on child health would be relevant for expanding current knowledge on their long-term effects.

Developmental defects in cognition, metabolic and cardiac function following maternal exposures to low environmental levels of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and tributyltin in Daphnia magna

Aquatic organisms are exposed to low concentrations of neuro-active chemicals, many of them acting also as neuroendocrine disruptors that can be hazardous during earlier embryonic stages. The present study aims to assess how exposure early in live to environmental low concentrations of two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), fluoxetine and sertraline, and tributyltin (TBT) affected cognitive, metabolic and cardiac responses in the model aquatic crustacean Daphnia magna. To that end, newly brooded females were exposed for an entire reproductive cycle (3-4 days) and the response of collected juveniles in the first, second and third consecutive broods, which were exposed, respectively, as embryos, provisioned and un-provisioned egg stages, was monitored. Pre-exposure to the selected SSRIs during embryonic and egg developmental stages altered the swimming behaviour of D. magna juveniles to light in a similar way reported elsewhere by serotonergic compounds while TBT altered cognition disrupting multiple neurological signalling routes. The studied compounds also altered body size, the amount of storage lipids in lipid droplets, heart rate, oxygen consumption rates and the transcription of related serotonergic, dopaminergic and lipid metabolic genes in new-born individuals, mostly pre-exposed during their embryonic and provisioning egg stages. The obtained cognitive, cardiac and metabolic defects in juveniles developed from exposed sensitive pre-natal stages align with the "Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DoHAD)" paradigm.

Epidemic-specific association of maternal exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their components with maternal glucose metabolism: A cross-sectional analysis in a birth cohort from Hong Kong

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent chemicals that have been linked to increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and may affect glucose metabolisms during pregnancy. We examined the associations between maternal PFAS exposure and maternal glucose metabolisms and GDM risk among 1601 mothers who joined the Hyperglycaemia-and-Adverse-Pregnancy-Outcome (HAPO) Study in Hong Kong in 2001-2006. All mothers underwent a 75 g-oral-glucose-tolerance test at 24-32 weeks of gestation. We measured serum concentrations of six PFAS biomarkers using high-performance liquid-chromatography-coupled-with-tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). We fitted conventional and advanced models (quantile-g-computation [qgcomp] and Bayesian-kernel machine regression [BKMR]) to assess the associations of individual and a mixture of PFAS with glycaemic traits. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the enrollment period by the severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome (SARS) epidemic periods in Hong Kong between March 2003 and May 2004. PFOS and PFOA were the main components of PFAS mixture among 1601 pregnant women in the Hong Kong HAPO study, with significantly higher median PFOS concentrations (19.09 ng/mL), compared to Chinese pregnant women (9.40 ng/mL) and US women (5.27 ng/mL). Maternal exposure to PFAS mixture was associated with higher HbA1c in the qgcomp (β = 0.04, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.06) model. We did not observe significant associations of PFAS mixture with fasting plasma glucose (PG), 1-h and 2-h PG in either model, except for 2-h PG in the qgcmop model (β = 0.074, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.15). PFOS was the primary contributor to the overall positive effects on HbA1c. Epidemic-specific analyses showed specific associations between PFAS exposure and the odds of GDM in the pre-SARS epidemic period. The median concentration of PFOS was highest during the peri-SARS epidemic (21.2 [14.5-43.6] ng/mL) compared with the pre-SARS (12.3 [9.2-19.9] ng/mL) and post-SARS (20.3 [14.2-46.3] ng/mL) epidemic periods. Potential interactions and exposure-response relationships between PFOA and PFNA with elevated HbA1c were observed in the peri-SARS period in BKMR model. Maternal exposure to PFAS mixture was associated with altered glucose metabolism during pregnancy. SARS epidemic-specific associations call for further studies on its long-term adverse health effects, especially potential modified associations by lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maternal exposure to ambient air temperature and adverse birth outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses

BACKGROUND

Multiple systematic reviews on prenatal ambient temperature and adverse birth outcomes exist, but the overall epidemiological evidence and the appropriate metric for thermal stress remain unclear. An umbrella review was performed to summarise and appraise the evidence with recommendations.

METHODS

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the associations between ambient temperature and adverse birth outcomes (preterm birth, stillbirth, birth weight, low birth weight, and small for gestational age) up to December 20, 2023, were synthesised according to a published protocol. Databases PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE/Ovid, EMBASE/Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, systematic reviews repositories, electronic grey literature, and references were searched. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool.

RESULTS

Eleven systematic reviews, including two meta-analyses, were included. This comprised 90 distinct observational studies that employed multiple temperature assessment metrics with a very high overlap of primary studies. Primary studies were mostly from the United States while both Africa and South Asia contributed only three studies. A majority (7 out of 11) of the systematic reviews were rated as moderate risk of bias. All systematic reviews indicated that maternal exposures to both extremely high and low temperatures, particularly during late gestation are associated with increased risks of preterm birth, stillbirth, and reduced fetal growth. However, due to great differences in the exposure assessments, high heterogeneity, imprecision, and methodological limitations of the included systematic reviews, the overall epidemiological evidence was classified as probable evidence of causation. No study assessed biothermal metrics for thermal stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the notable methodological differences, prenatal exposure to extreme ambient temperatures, particularly during late pregnancy, was associated with adverse birth outcomes. Adhering to the appropriate systematic review guidelines for environmental health research, incorporating biothermal metrics into exposure assessment, evidence from broader geodemographic settings, and interventions are recommended in future studies.

Associations between prenatal metal exposure and growth rate in children: Based on Hangzhou Birth Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

It has been reported that prenatal metal exposure is associated with child anthropometry. However, studies focusing on the growth rate of anthropometry among children have not been conducted. This study aimed to examine associations between the exposure of multiple metals during pregnancy and the growth rate of anthropometry among offspring.

METHODS

743 mother-child pairs from the Hangzhou Birth Cohort Study (HBCS) were included. Levels of eleven metals in mother's blood during pregnancy were measured. Offspring had a mean of 5.7 measurements on anthropometric indicators including weight, length/height, head circumference, and body mass index (BMI) within 1.5 years of birth. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to investigate the associations between maternal metal exposure and growth rate of anthropometric indicators in children. Stratification analysis by sex was also examined.

RESULTS

Levels of selenium (Se, β = 0.213, 95 % CI = 0.017 to 0.409, P = 0.033) were positively associated with length/height gain per month in children. Levels of chromium (Cr, β = 0.025, 95 % CI = 0.018 to 0.033, P < 0.001) were positively associated with the rate of weight gain. Levels of manganese (Mn, β = -0.030, 95 % CI = -0.052 to -0.008, P = 0.009) and cobalt (Co, β = -0.012, 95 % CI = -0.024 to -0.000, P = 0.044) were inversely associated with growth rate of head circumference. Children with higher maternal Mn levels had a lower BMI change rate. Associations between metals and growth rate were stronger in girls than in boys. Besides, significant associations between metal mixtures and growth rate were found.

CONCLUSION

Prenatal exposure to Se, Cr, Mn, and Co was associated with growth rate in children, with sex-specific disparities. Our results suggested important effects of maternal exposure to multiple metals on development in offspring.

Interaction of prenatal maternal selenium and manganese levels on child neurodevelopmental trajectories-the Shanghai birth cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The fetal brain is particularly plastic, and may be concurrently affected by chemical exposure and malnutritional factors. Selenium is essential for the developing brain, and excess manganese exposure may exert neurotoxic effects. However, few epidemiological studies have evaluated the interaction of manganese and selenium assessed in different prenatal stages on postnatal neurodevelopmental trajectories.

METHODS

This study contained 1024 mother-child pairs in the Shanghai-birth-cohort study from 2013 to 2016 recruited since early/before pregnancy with complete data on manganese and selenium levels in different prenatal stages and infant neurodevelopmental trajectories. Whole blood manganese and selenium in early pregnancy and around birth were measured by inductively-coupled-plasma-mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS), children's cognitive development was evaluated at 6, 12, and 24 months of age using Age & Stage-Questionnaire (ASQ)-3 and Bayley-III. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate the interaction of prenatal selenium and manganese on neurodevelopmental trajectories.

RESULTS

The prenatal manganese and selenium levels were 1.82 ± 0.98 μg/dL and 13.53 ± 2.70 μg/dL for maternal blood in early pregnancy, and 5.06 ± 1.67 μg/dL and 11.81 ± 3.35 μg/dL for umbilical cord blood, respectively. Higher prenatal Se levels were associated with better neurocognitive performances or the consistently-high-level trajectory (P < 0.05), with more significant associations observed in early pregnancy than around birth. However, such positive relationships became non-significant or even adverse in high (vs. low) manganese status, and the effect differences between low and high manganese were more significant in early pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal Selenium was positively associated with child neurodevelopment, but prenatal high manganese may mitigate such favorable effects. The effects were mainly observed in earlier prenatal stage.

Maternal exposure to E 551 during pregnancy leads to genome-wide DNA methylation changes and metabolic disorders in the livers of pregnant mice and their fetuses

The widespread use of nanoparticles in the food industry has raised concerns regarding their potential adverse effects on human health, particularly in vulnerable populations, including pregnant mothers and fetuses. However, studies evaluating the reproductive and developmental toxicity of food-grade nanomaterials are limited. This study investigated the potential risks of prenatal dietary exposure to food-grade silica nanoparticles (E 551) on maternal health and fetal growth using conventional toxicological and epigenetic methods. The results showed that prenatal exposure to a high-dose of E 551 induces fetal resorption. Moreover, E 551 significantly accumulates in maternal and fetal livers, triggering a hepatic inflammatory response. At the epigenetic level, global DNA methylation is markedly altered in the maternal and fetal livers. Genome-wide DNA methylation sequencing revealed affected mCG, mCHG, and mCHH methylation landscapes. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis of the differentially methylated genes suggests that E 551 poses a risk of inducing metabolic disorders in maternal and fetal livers. This is further evidenced by impaired glucose tolerance in pregnant mice and altered expression of key metabolism-related genes and proteins in maternal and fetal livers. Collectively, the results of this study highlighted the importance of epigenetics in characterizing the potential toxicity of maternal exposure to food-grade nanomaterials during pregnancy.

Changes in Concentrations of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Human Milk Over Lactation Time and Effects of Maternal Exposure via Analysis of Matched Samples

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are potentially related to many adverse health outcomes and could be transferred from maternal blood to human milk, which is an important exposure source for infants during a long-term period. In this study, the maternal blood of 76 women after delivery and their matched human milk samples obtained at 0.5, 1, and 3 months were analyzed by solid-phase extraction method with metal-organic framework/polymer hybrid nanofibers as the sorbents and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometric for quantitative analysis of 31 PFAS. The perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, and N-methyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N-MeFOSAA) contributed to more than approximately 50% of the total PFAS concentrations in blood and human milk, while N-MeFOSAA (median: 0.274 ng/mL) was the highest PFAS in human milk at 3 months. The transfer efficiencies for PFAS from maternal blood to human milk at 0.5 months were generally lower, with medians ranging from 0.20% to 16.9%. The number of PFAS species detected in human milk increased as the lactation time went on from 0.5 to 3 months, and the concentrations of 10 PFAS displayed an increasing trend as the prolongation of lactation time (p < 0.05).

Prenatal cannabis use and the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder in offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

It is plausible that exposure to cannabis in-utero could be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during childhood and adolescence; however, mixed results have been reported. This study investigated whether there is an association between prenatal cannabis use and ADHD symptoms and ASD in offspring using a systematic review and meta-analysis methodology.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Psych-Info, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies. The study protocol has been preregistered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022345001), and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. An inverse variance weighted random effect meta-analysis was conducted to pool the overall effect estimates from the included studies.

RESULTS

Fourteen primary studies, consisting of ten on ADHD and four on ASD, with a total of 203,783 participants, were included in this study. Our meta-analysis underscores an increased risk of ADHD symptoms and/or disorder [β = 0.39: 95 % CI (0.20-0.58), I2 = 66.85 %, P = 0.001)] and ASD [RR = 1.30: 95 % CI (1.03-1.64), I2 = 45.5 %, P = 0.14] associated with in-utero cannabis exposure in offspring compared to their non-exposed counterparts. Additionally, our stratified analysis highlighted an elevated risk of ADHD symptoms [β = 0.54: 95 % CI (0.26-0.82)] and a marginally significant increase in the risk of diagnostic ADHD among exposed offspring compared to non-exposed counterparts [RR = 1.13, 95 % CI (1.01, 1.26)].

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that maternal prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with a higher risk of ADHD symptoms and ASD in offspring.

The association between prenatal cannabis use and congenital birth defects in offspring: A cumulative meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between prenatal cannabis use and structural birth defects in exposed offspring.

METHODS

In line with the preregistered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022368623), we systematically searched PubMed/Medline, CINHAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, ProQuest, Psych-Info, and Google Scholar for published articles until 25 January 2024. The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised by the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). A meta-analysis was carried out to report the pooled effect estimates from the included studies. We further performed subgroup, leave-one-out sensitivity, and meta-regression analyses, which increased the robustness of our findings.

RESULTS

In this cumulative meta-analysis, thirty-six observational studies, consisting of 18 case-control and 18 cohort studies, with 230, 816 cases of birth defects and 18,049,013 controls (healthy babies) were included in the final analysis. We found that offspring exposed to maternal prenatal cannabis are at greater risks of a wide range of structural birth defects: cardiovascular/heart [OR = 2.35: 95 % CI 1.63 - 3.39], gastrointestinal [OR = 2.42: 95 % CI 1.61 - 3.64], central nervous system [OR = 2.87: 95 % CI 1.51 - 5.46], genitourinary [OR = 2.39: 95 % CI 1.11 - 5.17], and any (unclassified) birth defects [OR = 1.25: 95 % CI 1.12 - 1.41].

CONCLUSION

The findings from the current study suggest that maternal prenatal cannabis exposure is associated with a higher risk of different forms of structural birth defects in offspring. The findings underscore the significance of implementing preventive strategies, including enhanced preconception counselling, to address cannabis use during pregnancy and mitigate the risk of birth defects in offspring.

Maternal oral exposure to low-dose BPA accelerates the onset of puberty by promoting prepubertal Kiss1 expression in the AVPV nucleus of female offspring

As the incidence of precocious puberty has risen in recent years and the age at puberty onset is younger, children may be at increased risk for health consequences associated with the early onset of puberty. Bisphenol A (BPA) is recognized as an endocrine disruptor chemical that is reported to induce precocious puberty. The effect of BPA exposure modes, times, and doses (especially low dose) were controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the potential effects of maternal exposure to low-dose BPA on the hypothalamus, particularly on the arcuate (ARC) nucleus and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nucleus during peri-puberty in offspring of BPA-treated rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to corn oil vehicle, 0.05 mg·kg-1·day-1 BPA, or 5 mg·kg-1·day-1 from gestation day 1 (GD1) to postnatal day 21 (PND21) by daily gavage. Body weight (BW), vaginal opening (VO), ovarian follicular luteinization, and relevant hormone concentrations were measured; hypothalamic Kiss1 and GnRH1 levels by western immunoblot analysis were also assessed as indices of puberty onset. During or after exposure, low-dose BPA restricted BW after birth (at PND1 and PND5), and subsequently accelerated puberty onset by promoting the expression of prepubertal Kiss1 and GnRH1 in the AVPV nucleus on PND30, leading to advanced VO, an elevation in LH and FSH concentrations (on PND30). We also noted increased BW on PND30 and PND35. Maternal oral exposure to low-dose BPA altered the BW curve during the neonatal and peripubertal periods, and subsequently accelerated puberty onset by promoting prepubertal Kiss1 expression in the AVPV nucleus.

External Disruption of Ocular Development in Utero

The intricate steps of human ocular embryology are impacted by cellular and genetic signaling pathways and a myriad of external elements that can affect pregnancy, such as environmental, metabolic, hormonal factors, medications, and intrauterine infections. This review focuses on presenting some of these factors to recognize the multifactorial nature of ocular development and highlight their clinical significance. This review is based on English-language articles sourced from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar; keywords searched included "ocular development in pregnancy," "ocular embryology," "maternal nutrition," "ophthalmic change," and "visual system development." While some animal models show the disruption of ocular embryology from these external factors, there are limited post-birth assessments in human studies. Much remains unknown about the precise mechanisms of how these external factors can disrupt normal ocular development in utero, and more significant research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of these disruptive effects further. Findings in this review emphasize the importance of additional research in understanding the dynamic association between factors impacting gestation and neonatal ocular development, particularly in the setting of limited resources.

Prenatal Household Air Pollution Exposure and Childhood Blood Pressure in Rural Ghana

BACKGROUND

The association between prenatal household air pollution (HAP) exposure and childhood blood pressure (BP) is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Within the Ghana Randomized Air Pollution and Health Study (GRAPHS) we examined time-varying associations between a) maternal prenatal and b) first-year-of-life HAP exposure with BP at 4 years of age and, separately, whether a stove intervention delivered prenatally and continued through the first year of life could improve BP at 4 years of age.

METHODS

GRAPHS was a cluster-randomized cookstove intervention trial wherein n = 1,414 pregnant women were randomized to one of two stove interventions: a) a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove or improved biomass stove, or b) control (open fire cooking). Maternal HAP exposure over pregnancy and child HAP exposure over the first year of life was quantified by repeated carbon monoxide (CO) measurements; a subset of women (n = 368 ) also performed one prenatal and one postnatal personal fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) measurement. Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) were measured in n = 667 4-y-old children along with their PM 2.5 exposure (n = 692 ). We examined the effect of the intervention on resting BP z -scores. We also employed reverse distributed lag models to examine time-varying associations between a) maternal prenatal and b) first-year-of-life HAP exposure and resting BP z -scores. Among those with PM 2.5 measures, we examined associations between PM 2.5 and resting BP z -scores. Sex-specific effects were considered.

RESULTS

Intention-to-treat analyses identified that DBP z -score at 4 years of age was lower among children born in the LPG arm (LPG β = - 0.20 ; 95% CI: - 0.36 , - 0.03 ) as compared with those in the control arm, and females were most susceptible to the intervention. Higher CO exposure in late gestation was associated with higher SBP and DBP z -score at 4 years of age, whereas higher late-first-year-of-life CO exposure was associated with higher DBP z -score. In the subset with PM 2.5 measurements, higher maternal postnatal PM 2.5 exposure was associated with higher SBP z -scores.

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest that prenatal and first-year-of-life HAP exposure are associated with child BP and support the need for reductions in exposure to HAP, with interventions such as cleaner cooking beginning in pregnancy. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13225.

Associations between maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and risk of omphalocele among offspring, National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997-2011

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and omphalocele have produced mixed results. We updated an earlier analysis of National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) data, adding six years of participants, to examine associations between maternal alcohol consumption and omphalocele.

METHODS

NBDPS was a multi-site, population-based case-control study in the United States. Cases were identified from birth defect surveillance programs in 10 states; controls were liveborn infants without a birth defect randomly selected from the same catchment areas. Mothers self-reported alcohol consumption during the periconceptional period (one month before through the third gestational month) via telephone interview. Our study included mothers of 410 omphalocele cases and 11,219 controls with estimated dates of delivery (EDDs) during 1997-2011. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for periconceptional alcohol consumption and omphalocele. We performed a probabilistic bias analysis to evaluate the impact of alcohol exposure misclassification on our results.

RESULTS

Overall, 44% of case and 38% of control mothers reported periconceptional alcohol consumption; 22% and 17%, respectively, reported binge drinking. Any maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption was associated with modestly increased odds of omphalocele (AOR 1.35, 95% CI 1.09, 1.68), as was binge drinking (AOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.08, 2.01). Our bias analysis yielded estimates further from the null.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed modest associations between maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and omphalocele. Based on our bias analysis, studies of alcohol and birth defects not accounting for exposure misclassification may underestimate associations.

Maternal Exposure to Extreme Cold Events and Risk of Congenital Heart Defects: A Large Multicenter Study in China

Over the past decade, extreme temperature events have become more frequent and longer in duration. Previous studies on the association between extreme cold events (ECEs) and congenital heart defects (CHDs) are few and inconsistent. We conducted a national multicenter study in 1313 hospitals in 26 provinces in China and collected a total of 14 808 high CHD-risk participants from 2013 to 2021. We evaluated the ECEs experienced by each pregnant women during the embryonic period (3-8 weeks). The results indicated that ECEs experienced by pregnant women during the embryonic period were associated with the development of fetal CHD and were more strongly associated with some specific fetal CHD subtypes, such as pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary atresia, and tetralogy of Fallot. Of the CHD burden, 2.21% (95% CI: 1.43, 2.99%)-2.40% (95% CI: 1.26, 3.55%) of fetal CHD cases were attributable to ECEs during the embryonic period. Our findings emphasize the need to pay more attention to pregnant women whose embryonic period falls during the cold season to reduce cold spell detriments to newborns.

Associations of maternal exposure to multiple plasma trace elements with the prevalence of fetal congenital heart defects: A nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

Scanty knowledge prevails regarding the combined impact of multiple plasma trace elements and main contributors on the prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHDs) in offspring. Thus, we performed a nested case-control analysis in a neonates cohort to investigate this important public health issue.

METHODS

We selected 164 pairs of cases and non-malformed controls from live births registered in the parent cohort (n = 11,578) at the same hospital. Plasma levels of 14 trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The odds ratios (ORs) of exposure were compared between cases and controls. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) and Quantile g-Computation (QgC) models were employed to assess the cumulative effect of exposure to trace elements.

RESULTS

We found positive associations and linear dose-response relationships between plasma Pb and Sn and CHD. BKMR models indicated that the overall effect of the trace element mixture was associated with CHDs below the 45th percentile or above the 50th percentile, and the combined effect was primarily attributed to Sn and Pb. The QgC model indicated significantly increased odds of CHD with simultaneous exposure to all studied trace elements (OR: 2.19, 95%CI: 1.44-3.33).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to report an association between elevated levels of mixed trace elements in maternal plasma with an increased prevalence of fetal CHDs, particularly in the case of Pb and Sn. Findings from this study provide further evidence of the important of heavy metal pollution to human health, and can help stakeholders prioritize policies and develop interventions to target the leading contributors to human exposure.

Associations of maternal exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid during early pregnancy with steroid hormones among one-month-old infants

BACKGROUND

Exposure to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a widely used hormonal herbicide, may disrupt steroid hormone homeostasis. However, evidence from population-based studies is limited, especially for one-month-old infants whose steroid hormones are in a state of adjustment to extrauterine life and can be important indicators of endocrine development. This study aimed to explore the associations between maternal 2,4-D exposure during early pregnancy and infant steroid hormone levels.

METHODS

The 885 mother-infant pairs were from a birth cohort in Wuhan, China. Maternal exposure to 2,4-D was determined in urine samples from early pregnancy, and nine steroid hormones were determined in infant urine. The associations of maternal 2,4-D exposure with infant steroid hormones and their product-to-precursor ratios were estimated based on generalized linear models, and bioinformatic analysis was conducted with public databases to explore the potential mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

The detection frequency of 2,4-D was 99.32 %, and the detection frequency of steroid hormones ranged from 98.42 % to 100.00 %. After adjusting for covariates, an interquartile range increase in 2,4-D concentrations was associated with a 7.84 % decrease in 11-deoxycortisol (95 % confidence interval, CI: -14.12 %, -1.10 %), an 8.09 % decrease in corticosterone (95 % CI: -14.56 %, -1.14 %), an 8.67 % decrease in cortisol (95 % CI: -14.43 %, -2.52 %), a 13.00 % decrease in cortisone (95 % CI: -20.64 %, -4.62 %), and an 11.17 % decrease in aldosterone (95 % CI: -19.62 %, -1.83 %). Maternal 2,4-D was also associated with lower infant cortisol/17α-OH-progesterone, cortisol/pregnenolone, and aldosterone/pregnenolone ratios. In bioinformatic analysis, pathways/biological processes related to steroid hormone synthesis and secretion were enriched from target genes of 2,4-D exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal urinary 2,4-D during early pregnancy was associated with lower infant urinary 11-deoxycortisol, corticosterone, cortisol, cortisone, and aldosterone, reflecting that 2,4-D exposure may interfere with infant steroid hormone homeostasis. Further efforts are still needed to study the relevant health effects of exposure to 2,4-D, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Associations of maternal urinary rare earth elements individually and in mixtures with neonatal size at birth

Prenatal rare earth elements (REEs) exposure is linked to unfavorable health consequences. Epidemiologic research on repeated measurements of REEs during gestation correlated with fetal growth is exiguous. Until now, few studies have characterized exposure characteristics of REEs in pregnant women. We aimed to ascertain the characteristics and predictors of REEs exposure over three trimesters among pregnant women and examine the possible effects of prenatal REEs exposure on size at birth. Urinary REEs concentrations exhibited considerable within-subject variation with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.16 to 0.58. Maternal age, household income, gestational weight gain, passive smoking during pregnancy, parity, and neonatal gender were associated with maternal urinary REEs concentrations. Elevated maternal urinary holmium and thulium concentrations in the 3rd trimester were significantly related to reductions in birth weight. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression model identified that urinary REEs mixture in the 3rd trimester were negatively related to birth weight (WQSREEs β = -26.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -47.62, -4.82), with holmium (40%) and thulium (24%) receiving the highest weights. Male infants received the most weight (>50%) related to decreased birth weight. This study revealed a significant association between individual and mixture REE exposure in late pregnancy with a reduction in birth weight.

Individual ambient ozone exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes: Exploration of the potentially vulnerable windows

BACKGROUND

Ambient ozone (O3) exposure during pregnancy might be associated with preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW); however, existing evidence remains inconclusive. It is necessary to explore the relationships and potential susceptible periods further.

METHODS

To explore the relationship between O3 exposure and adverse birth outcomes, a study using records of 34,122 singleton live births in Beijing between 2016 and 2019 was conducted. The O3 exposure in each gestational week of pregnant women was estimated, and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) incorporated in Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore potential critical windows.

RESULTS

An increase of 10 μg/m3 in O3 exposure was associated with a 3.9% (95%CI: 0.6-7.3%) higher risk of PTB. Additionally, this increase in O3 exposure was positively linked to PTB during the 2nd - 7th, 22nd - 29th, and 37th gestational weeks, and LBW during the 2nd - 7th, 24th - 29th, and 37th gestational weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates a positive correlation between O3 exposure and PTB, and identified specific sensitive periods during pregnancy when the risk was higher.

Maternal exposure to zolpidem and risk of specific birth defects

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine agent indicated for treatment of insomnia. While zolpidem crosses the placenta, little is known about its safety in pregnancy. We assessed associations between self-reported zolpidem use 1 month before pregnancy through to the end of the third month ("early pregnancy") and specific birth defects using data from two multi-site case-control studies: National Birth Defects Prevention Study and Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study. Analysis included 39,711 birth defect cases and 23,035 controls without a birth defect. For defects with ≥ 5 exposed cases, we used logistic regression with Firth's penalised likelihood to estimate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, considering age at delivery, race/ethnicity, education, body mass index, parity, early-pregnancy antipsychotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant use, early-pregnancy opioid use, early-pregnancy smoking, and study as potential covariates. For defects with three-four exposed cases, we estimated crude odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Additionally, we explored differences in odds ratios using propensity score-adjustment and conducted a probabilistic bias analysis of exposure misclassification. Overall, 84 (0.2%) cases and 46 (0.2%) controls reported early-pregnancy zolpidem use. Seven defects had sufficient sample size to calculate adjusted odds ratios, which ranged from 0.76 for cleft lip to 2.18 for gastroschisis. Four defects had odds ratios > 1.8. All confidence intervals included the null. Zolpidem use was rare. We could not calculate adjusted odds ratios for most defects and estimates are imprecise. Results do not support a large increase in risk, but smaller increases in risk for certain defects cannot be ruled out.

Maternal PM2.5 exposure is associated with preterm birth and gestational diabetes mellitus, and mitochondrial OXPHOS dysfunction in cord blood

Maternal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with adverse pregnancy and neonatal health outcomes. To explore the mechanism, we performed mRNA sequencing of neonatal cord blood. From an ongoing prospective cohort, Air Pollution on Pregnancy Outcome (APPO) study, 454 pregnant women from six centers between January 2021 and June 2022 were recruited. Individual PM2.5 exposure was calculated using a time-weighted average model. In the APPO study, age-matched cord blood samples from the High PM2.5 (˃15 ug/m3; n = 10) and Low PM2.5 (≤ 15 ug/m3; n = 30) groups were randomly selected for mRNA sequencing. After selecting genes with differential expression in the two groups (p-value < 0.05 and log2 fold change > 1.5), pathway enrichment analysis was performed, and the mitochondrial pathway was analyzed using MitoCarta3.0. The risk of preterm birth (PTB) increased with every 5 µg/m3 increase of PM2.5 in the second trimester (odds ratio 1.391, p = 0.019) after adjusting for confounding variables. The risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increased in the second (odds ratio 1.238, p = 0.041) and third trimester (odds ratio 1.290, p = 0.029), and entire pregnancy (odds ratio 1.295, p = 0.029). The mRNA-sequencing of cord blood showed that genes related to mitochondrial activity (FAM210B, KRT1, FOXO4, TRIM58, and FBXO7) and PTB-related genes (ADIPOR1, YBX1, OPTN, NFkB1, HBG2) were upregulated in the High PM2.5 group. In addition, exposure to high PM2.5 affected mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and proteins in the electron transport chain, a subunit of OXPHOS. These results suggest that exposure to high PM2.5 during pregnancy may increase the risk of PTB and GDM, and dysregulate PTB-related genes. Alterations in mitochondrial OXPHOS by high PM2.5 exposure may occur not only in preterm infants but also in normal newborns. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required.

Maternal exposure to bisphenol S reduces anxiety and impairs collective antipredator behavior of male zebrafish (Danio rerio) offspring through dysregulation of their serotonergic system

Bisphenol S (BPS) is a common endocrine-disrupting chemical globally used in several consumer and industrial products. Although previous studies suggested that BPS induces multiple effects in exposed organisms, very little is known about its intergenerational effect on offspring behavior and/or the potential underlying mechanisms. To this end, adult female zebrafish Danio rerio were exposed to BPS (0, 10, 30 µg/L) and 1 µg/L of 17-β-estradiol (E2) as a positive control for 60 days. Afterwards, female fish were bred with untreated males, and their offspring were raised to 6 months old in control water. Maternal exposure to BPS decreased male offspring anxiety and antipredator behaviors while boldness remained unaffected. Specifically, maternal exposure to 10 and 30 µg/L BPS and 1 µg/L E2 were found to impact male offspring anxiety levels as they decreased the total time that individuals spent in the dark zone in the light/dark box test and increased the total track length in the center of the open field test. In addition, maternal exposure to all concentrations of BPS and E2 disrupted antipredator responses of male offspring by decreasing shoal cohesion in the presence of chemical alarm cues derived from conspecifics, which communicated high risk. To elucidate the possible molecular mechanism underlying these neuro-behavioral effects of BPS, we assessed the serotonergic system via changes in mRNA expression of serotonin receptors, including the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D subtypes, the serotonin transporter and monoamine oxidase (MAO). The impaired anxiety and antipredator responses were associated with reduced levels of 5-HT1A subtype and MAO mRNA expression within the brain of adult male offspring. Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that maternal exposure to environmental concentrations of BPS can interfere with the serotonergic signaling pathway in the developing brain, subsequently leading to the onset of a suite of behavioral deficits in adult offspring.

The Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study enables generational genetic discoveries

Genomic research that targets large-scale, prospective birth cohorts constitutes an essential strategy for understanding the influence of genetics and environment on human health1. Nonetheless, such studies remain scarce, particularly in Asia. Here we present the phase I genome study of the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study2 (BIGCS), which encompasses the sequencing and analysis of 4,053 Chinese individuals, primarily composed of trios or mother-infant duos residing in South China. Our analysis reveals novel genetic variants, a high-quality reference panel, and fine-scale local genetic structure within BIGCS. Notably, we identify previously unreported East Asian-specific genetic associations with maternal total bile acid, gestational weight gain and infant cord blood traits. Additionally, we observe prevalent age-specific genetic effects on lipid levels in mothers and infants. In an exploratory intergenerational Mendelian randomization analysis, we estimate the maternal putatively causal and fetal genetic effects of seven adult phenotypes on seven fetal growth-related measurements. These findings illuminate the genetic links between maternal and early-life traits in an East Asian population and lay the groundwork for future research into the intricate interplay of genetics, intrauterine exposures and early-life experiences in shaping long-term health.

Maternal and Neonatal Effects of Maternal Oral Exposure to Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic Acid (PFMOAA) during Pregnancy and Early Lactation in the Sprague-Dawley Rat

Perfluoro-2-methoxyacetic acid (PFMOAA) is a short-chain perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acid that has been detected at high concentrations (∼10 μg/L) in drinking water in eastern North Carolina, USA, and in human serum and breastmilk in China. Despite documented human exposure there are almost no toxicity data available to inform risk assessment of PFMOAA. Here we exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to a range of PFMOAA doses (10-450 mg/kg/d) via oral gavage from gestation day (GD) 8 to postnatal day (PND) 2 and compared results to those we previously reported for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and hexafluoropropylene oxide-dimer acid (HFPO-DA or GenX). Newborn pups displayed reduced birthweight (≥30 mg/kg), depleted liver glycogen concentrations (all doses), hypoglycemia (≥125 mg/kg), and numerous significantly altered genes in the liver associated with fatty acid and glucose metabolism similar to gene changes produced by HFPO-DA. Pup survival was significantly reduced at ≥125 mg/kg, and at necropsy on PND2 both maternal and neonatal animals displayed increased liver weights, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and reduced serum thyroid hormones at all doses (≥10 mg/kg). Pups also displayed highly elevated serum cholesterol at all doses. PFMOAA concentrations in serum and liver increased with maternal oral dose in both maternal and F1 animals and were similar to those we reported for PFOA but considerably higher than HFPO-DA. We calculated 10% effect levels (ED10 or EC10) and relative potency factors (RPF; PFOA = index chemical) among the three compounds based on maternal oral dose and maternal serum concentration (μM). Reduced pup liver glycogen, increased liver weights and reduced thyroid hormone levels (maternal and pup) were the most sensitive end points modeled. PFMOAA was ∼3-7-fold less potent than PFOA for most end points based on maternal serum RPFs, but slightly more potent for increased maternal and pup liver weights. PFMOAA is a maternal and developmental toxicant in the rat producing a constellation of adverse effects similar to PFOA and HFPO-DA.

Maternal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) impairs angiogenesis and AR signalling pathway through suppression of TGFB1I1 in hypospadias offspring

Early exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) can cause hypospadias in newborn foetuses. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well defined. Aberrant angiogenesis is associated with various dysplasias including urogenital deficits. In vivo and in vitro angiogenesis assays showed reduced angiogenesis in the hypospadias group and DBP exposed group. RNA-sequencing analysis of DBP-treated HUVECs revealed decreased expression of transforming growth factor beta 1-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1) and a significantly enriched angiogenesis-associated pathway. Further experiments revealed that decreased TGFB1I1 expression was associated with disrupted tube formation and migration, which resulted in decreased angiogenesis. Functional assays revealed that the overexpression of TGFB1I1 promoted tube formation and migration of HUVECs in the DBP-treated group. Moreover, we showed that the transcription factor AR was regulated by TGFB1I1 through inhibiting its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Together, our results identified TGFB1I1 as a component of aberrant angiogenesis in hypospadias rats and its interaction with AR might be a potential target for hypospadias development.

The adverse impact of maternal ozone exposure on fetal growth in utero and the interaction with residential greenness

This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal ozone exposure on fetal growth during pregnancy, as well as the combined effect and interaction of ozone and residential greenness. We included a total of 14990 singleton pregnancies from the Fujian Birth Cohort Study. During pregnancy, fetal growth parameters including estimated fetal weight (EFW), femur length (FL), head circumference (HC), and abdominal circumference (AC). To investigate the associations between ozone exposure and the above-mentioned outcomes, generalized estimating equation approach and generalized linear regression were used, as appropriate. In the adjusted models, we observed that the Z scores of EFW (-0.031 (-0.048, -0.014)), FL (-0.021 (-0.038, -0.004)), and AC (-0.025 (-0.042, -0.007)) decreased with per interquartile range (IQR) increase of ozone concentration. Compared to participants with low ozone exposure and high NDVI, those with high ozone exposure and low NDVI experienced the largest decrease in Z scores for EFW (-0.049 (-0.079, -0.02)), FL (-0.034 (-0.063, -0.004)), HC (-0.034 (-0.065, -0.004)), and AC (-0.041 (-0.072, -0.01)), respectively. Interestingly, we discovered the effect modification of NDVI on the relationship between ozone exposure and fetal growth restriction (P for interaction < 0.05). This study established a negative relationship of maternal ozone exposure and fetal growth. Of importance, this study discovered the joint effect and interaction between ozone and residential greenness exposure.

Dose-response associations of maternal prenatal noise exposure duration with antepartum depression status

BACKGROUND

Antepartum depression has been reported to be associated with the intensity of maternal prenatal noise exposure; however, the association between noise exposure duration and the development of antepartum depression has not been established. This study aimed to determine the total and trimester-specific association of prenatal noise exposure duration with the development of antepartum depression.

METHODS

From May 2018 to June 2021, we recruited 2,166 pregnant women from Shengjing Hospital, northeast China. We used a standardized questionnaire to assess women's prenatal noise exposure and used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to assess pregnant women's antepartum depression during the 1st -, 2nd -, and 3rd - trimesters. We calculated a cumulative noise exposure score ranging from 0 to 3, with a higher score reflecting higher frequency and longer duration of noise exposure during pregnancy.

RESULTS

Women who were exposed to noise for ≥ 15 min per day had an increased risk of antepartum depression compared with women who were not exposed to noise during pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95%CI:1.18, 2.83]. Noise exposure in a specific trimester was associated with higher risk of depression in the same trimester and subsequent trimesters. We observed increases in antepartum depression risk with increasing cumulative noise exposure scores (P for trend < 0.05 for all). Pregnant women with the highest scores had the highest risk of antepartum depression during the first (OR = 1.30, 95%CI:1.02, 1.65), second (OR = 1.75, 95%CI:1.23, 2.50) trimesters. Women with a cumulative noise exposure score of 2 had the highest risk of antepartum depression during the third trimester (OR = 1.79, 95%CI:1.14, 2.80), as well as during the whole pregnancy (OR = 1.94, 95%CI:1.14, 3.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal prenatal noise exposure duration was positively associated with antepartum depression risk in a dose-response manner. It is necessary to develop strategies by which pregnant women can avoid excessive exposure to noise to prevent antepartum depression.

Weekly prenatal PM2.5 and NO2 exposures in preterm, early term, and full term infants: Decrements in birth weight and critical windows of susceptibility

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have observed associations between birth weight and prenatal air pollution exposure, but there is not consensus on timing of critical windows of susceptibility.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the difference in birth weight among preterm, early term and full term births associated with weekly exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 throughout gestation.

METHODS

We included all singleton live births in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan (United States) between 2007 and 2012 occurring at or after 32 weeks gestational age (n = 497,897). Weekly ambient PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations were estimated at maternal residences using 1-km gridded data from ensemble-based models. We utilized a distributed lag nonlinear model to estimate the difference in birth weight associated with weekly exposures from the last menstrual period (week 0) through 31 weeks gestation for preterm births; through 36 weeks gestation for early term births; and through 38 weeks gestation for full term births.

RESULTS

In single-pollutant models, a 5 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 exposure was associated with a reduction in birth weight among preterm births (-37.1 g [95% confidence interval [CI]: 60.8 g, -13.5 g]); early term births (-13.5 g [95% CI: 26.2 g, -0.67 g]); and full term births (-8.23 g [95% CI: 15.8 g, -0.68 g])]. In single-pollutant models, a 10 ppb increase in NO2 exposure was associated with a -11.7 g (95% CI: 14.46 g, -8.92 g) decrement in birth weight among full term births only. In models co-adjusted for PM2.5 and NO2, PM2.5 exposure was associated with reduced birth weight among preterm births (-36.9 g [95% CI: 61.9 g, -11.8 g]) and NO2 exposure was associated with reduced birth weight among full term births (-11.8 g [95% CI: 14.7 g, -8.94 g]). The largest decrements in birth weight were associated with PM2.5 exposure between approximately 10 and 26 weeks of pregnancy; for NO2 exposure, the largest decrements in birth weight in full term births were associated with exposure between weeks 6-18.

CONCLUSION

We observed the largest and most persistent adverse associations between PM2.5 exposure and birth weight in preterm infants, and between NO2 exposure and birth weight in full term infants. Exposure during the first half of pregnancy had a greater impact on birthweight.

Paternal and maternal preconception and maternal pregnancy urinary phthalate metabolite and BPA concentrations in relation to child behavior

BACKGROUND

Epidemiologic studies on health effects of parental preconception exposures are limited despite emerging evidence from toxicological studies suggesting that such exposures, including to environmental chemicals, may affect offspring health.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated whether maternal and paternal preconception and maternal pregnancy urinary phthalate metabolite and bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations were associated with child behavior.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Preconception Environmental exposure And Childhood health Effects (PEACE) Study, an ongoing prospective cohort study of children aged 6-11 years whose parent(s) previously enrolled in the prospective preconception Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study. Using linear mixed models, we estimated covariate-adjusted associations of 11 urinary phthalate metabolite and BPA concentrations collected prior to conception and during pregnancy with Behavioral Assessment System for Children-3 (BASC-3) T-scores (higher scores indicate more problem behaviors).

RESULTS

This analysis included 134 mothers, 87 fathers and 157 children (24 sets of twins); parents were predominantly non-Hispanic white (mothers and fathers86%). Higher maternal preconception or pregnancy monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) concentrations were related to higher mean externalizing problems T-scores in their children (β = 1.3 per 1-loge unit increase; 95 % CI: -0.2, 2.4 and β = 2.1, 95 % CI: 0.7, 3.6, respectively). Higher maternal preconception monocarboxyoctyl phthalate (MCOP) was suggested to be related to lower mean externalizing problems T-scores (β = -0.9; 95 % CI: -1.8, 0.0). Higher paternal preconception MCOP was suggestively associated with lower internalizing problems (β = -0.9; 95 %CI:-1.9, 0.1) and lower Behavioral Symptoms Index (BSI) T-scores (β = -1.3; 95 % CI: -2.1, -0.4).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, higher maternal preconception and pregnancy MBzP were associated with worse parent-reported child behavior, while higher maternal and paternal preconception MCOP concentrations were related to lower BASC-3 scores.

The association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and birth outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been linked to adverse birth outcomes; however, to date, the available studies on such relations, with the exception of birth weight, has not been systematically synthesized. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available observational studies on the association of maternal exposure to PAHs and their metabolites during pregnancy with indicators of fetal growth and gestational age at delivery. We searched Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus systematically for all relevant published papers in English until 13 January 2023. Random effects meta-analysis was applied to synthesize the association estimates. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression. A total of 31 articles were included in our review (n = 703,080 participants). Our quality assessment of reviewed papers showed that 19 research had excellent, nine had good, and three had fair quality. Most of the reviewed studies on exposure to PAHs and their metabolites with gestational age and preterm birth (seven studies) reported no statistically significant association. Eight studies were eligible for our meta-analysis. Results of the meta-analysis indicated that higher levels of maternal urinary 1-OHP was associated with lower birth weight, birth length and head circumference and a higher risk of low birth weight (LBW). However, these associations were not statistically significant. Similarly, the combined association between maternal urinary 1-OHP and newborn's Ponderal index (PI) and Cephalization index were not statistically significant. Overall, our systematic review and meta-analysis suggested a potential adverse impact of exposure to PAHs on LBW, HC, and CC; however, further studies are required to be able to draw concrete conclusions on such associations.

Assessing lead exposure in U.S. pregnant women using biological and residential measurements

There is strong scientific evidence for multiple pathways of human exposure to lead (Pb) in residential settings, particularly for young children; however, less is known about maternal exposure during pregnancy and children's exposure during early lifestages. A robust, multi-faceted secondary analysis was conducted using data collected by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in the 2009-2014 National Children's Study Vanguard Studies. Descriptive statistics summarized Pb concentrations of maternal blood, maternal urine, and house dust vacuum samples collected during pregnancy and residence surface wipes collected both during pregnancy and six months post-partum. The maternal blood Pb level geometric mean was 0.44 μg/dL (n = 426), with no women having values ≥ 5 μg/dL; creatinine-adjusted maternal urinary Pb geometric mean was 0.43 μg/g (n = 366). These blood and urine concentrations are similar to those observed for females in the general U.S. population in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2011 cycle. A modest correlation between maternal blood Pb and surface wipe measurements during pregnancy was observed (Spearman r = 0.35, p < 0.0001). Surface wipe Pb loadings obtained in mother's homes during pregnancy (n = 640) and from areas where children spent the most time at roughly 6 months of age (n = 99) ranged from 0.02 to 71.8 ng/cm2, with geometric means of 0.47 and 0.49 ng/cm2, respectively, which were relatively low compared to other national studies. Survey responses of demographic, lifestyle, and residence characteristics were assessed for associations with blood concentration and surface wipe loading. Demographic (e.g., race/ethnicity, income, education, marital status) and housing characteristics (e.g., year home built, paint condition, own or rent home, attached garage) were associated with both maternal blood and surface wipe loadings during pregnancy. The availability of residential environmental media and extensive survey data provided enhanced understanding of Pb exposure during pregnancy and early life.

"Cocktail" of environmental chemicals and early reproductive outcomes of IVF: The insight from paternal and maternal exposure

BACKGROUND

Humans are exposed to various chemicals, including organophosphate esters (OPEs), phthalates (PAEs), and phenols. The effects on early reproductive outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) remain unclear.

METHODS

We recruited 192 women and 157 men who underwent IVF treatment. A total of forty-nine urinary chemicals were detected, including six OPEs, fifteen PAEs, six parabens, two chlorophenols, nine bisphenols, five benzophenones, and six synthetic phenolic antioxidants. We examined the individual and joint effects of parental chemical exposure on early reproductive outcomes.

RESULTS

We found that certain chemicals were associated with early reproductive outcomes in Poisson regression models. For example, urinary diphenyl phosphate was negatively associated with high-quality embryos in both female (β: -0.12, 95%CI: -0.17, -0.07) and male partners (β: -0.09, 95%CI: -0.15, -0.03). A negative association was found between mixed chemicals and high-quality embryos in Bayesian kernel machine regression, weighted quantile sum regression (β: -0.34, 95%CI: -0.60, -0.07), and quantile-based g-computation model (β: -0.69, 95%CI: -1.34, -0.05) among female partners. Paternal mixture exposure was not associated with early reproductive outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that increased exposure to environmental chemicals was associated with adverse early reproductive outcomes of IVF, especially female partners.

Maternal antibiotic exposure enhances ILC2 activation in neonates via downregulation of IFN1 signaling

Microbiota have an important function in shaping and priming neonatal immunity, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain obscure. Here we report that prenatal antibiotic exposure causes significant elevation of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in neonatal lungs, in both cell numbers and functionality. Downregulation of type 1 interferon signaling in ILC2s due to diminished production of microbiota-derived butyrate represents the underlying mechanism. Mice lacking butyrate receptor GPR41 (Gpr41-/-) or type 1 interferon receptor IFNAR1 (Ifnar1-/-) recapitulate the phenotype of neonatal ILC2s upon maternal antibiotic exposure. Furthermore, prenatal antibiotic exposure induces epigenetic changes in ILC2s and has a long-lasting deteriorative effect on allergic airway inflammation in adult offspring. Prenatal supplementation of butyrate ameliorates airway inflammation in adult mice born to antibiotic-exposed dams. These observations demonstrate an essential role for the microbiota in the control of type 2 innate immunity at the neonatal stage, which suggests a therapeutic window for treating asthma in early life.

Evaluating the Impact of Maternal Exposure to Ozone on Twin Fetal Growth in China

Unlike singletons, twins require attention not only to the birth weight of the fetuses but also to discordance (i.e., the differences between weights) because twin growth discordance is a significant factor contributing to perinatal mortality and morbidity in twin pregnancies. However, the impact of maternal air pollution exposure on twin growth discordance has rarely been investigated. We examined the association of long-term ozone exposure during preconception and pregnancy with the birth weight of twins and twin growth discordance among 35,795 twins from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project between January 2010 and December 2019. Linear mixed-effect models and random-effect logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of ozone exposure with the birth weight-related outcomes (i.e., birth weight of twins and within-pair birth weight difference) and risk of twin growth discordance, respectively, after adjustment for demographic characteristics and lifestyle. We found that an interquartile range (IQR) increase (15 μg/m3) in ozone exposure during the entire pregnancy was associated with a reduction (-28.96g, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -46.37, -11.56) in the total birth weight of twins, and ozone had a more pronounced impact on the birth weight of the smaller fetuses (-18.28 g, 95% CI: -27.22, -9.34) compared to the larger fetuses (-9.88 g, 95% CI: -18.84, -0.92) in twin pregnancies. An IQR increase in ozone exposure during the entire pregnancy was associated with a significant increase (8.41 g, 95% CI: 4.13, 12.69) in the within-pair birth weight difference; the odds ratio (OR) of twin growth discordance related to ozone exposure increased by 9% (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.18). However, no consistently significant associations were observed for ozone exposure during prepregnancy. Male-male twin pairs and those who were born prematurely appeared to be more susceptible to ozone exposure than their counterparts. Long-term ozone exposure during pregnancy was associated with twin growth discordance, and our findings provide reference data for future studies.

Associations of Trimester-Specific Exposure to Perchlorate, Thiocyanate, and Nitrate with Childhood Neurodevelopment: A Birth Cohort Study in China

Studies about the impacts of maternal exposure to perchlorate, thiocyanate, and nitrate on offspring neurodevelopment are scarce. Based on a birth cohort in China, 1,028 mothers provided urine samples at three trimesters for determination of the three target analytes, and their offspring neurodevelopment was evaluated at 2 years old. Associations of maternal exposure to the three chemicals with offspring neurodevelopment were estimated using three statistical methods. Trimester-specific analyses using generalized estimating equation models showed that double increment of thiocyanate and nitrate during the first trimester was associated with 1.56 (95% CI: -2.82, -0.30) and 1.22 (-2.40, -0.03) point decreases in the offspring mental development index (MDI), respectively. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression analyses showed that the mixture exposure at the first and second trimesters was negatively associated with the offspring MDI (β = -2.39, 95% CI: -3.85, -0.93; β = -1.75, 95% CI: -3.04, -0.47, respectively) and thiocyanate contributed the most to the association (65.0 and 91.6%, respectively). Bayesian kernel machine regression analyses suggested an inverted U-shape relationship of maternal urinary thiocyanate with the offspring MDI. These findings suggested that prenatal exposure to the three chemicals (at current levels), especially thiocyanate and nitrate, may impair neurodevelopment. Early pregnancy seems to be the sensitive window.

[Maternal mobile phone screen time during pregnancy and children's internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems]

The behavioral problems of children and adolescents are becoming more and more serious, and the prevalence rate is increasing year by year. The overall trend is increasing, which has become one of the important public health issues of global concern. There are many influencing factors for behavioral problems in children and adolescents, including genetic, psychosocial, family and early life environment. Among them, maternal screen exposure during pregnancy is a contributing factor that deserves attention and has practical intervention significance. This study systematically evaluated the association between maternal mobile phone screen time during pregnancy and children's internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems, its potential biological mechanisms and relevant intervention measures, in order to create a good intrauterine environment for fetal neurodevelopment and further reduce the occurrence of children's behavioral problems.