Mayumi Tsuji1, Eiji Shibata2, Seiichi Morokuma3, Rie Tanaka4, Ayako Senju5, Shunsuke Araki6, Masafumi Sanefuji7, Chihaya Koriyama8, Megumi Yamamoto9, Yasuhiro Ishihara10, Koichi Kusuhara11, Toshihiro Kawamoto12. 1. Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: tsuji@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: age-s@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 3. Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. Electronic address: morokuma@med.kyushu-u.ac.jp. 4. Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: t-rie@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 5. Japan Environment and Children's Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: senju-a@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 6. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: arashun@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 7. Research Center for Environmental and Developmental Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. Electronic address: sane26@pediatr.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp. 8. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan. Electronic address: fiy@m.kufm.kagoshima-u.ac.jp. 9. Department of Environment and Public Health, National Institute for Minamata Disease, 4058-18 Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto 867-0008, Japan. Electronic address: yamamoto@nimd.go.jp. 10. Laboratory of Molecular Brain Science, Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan. Electronic address: ishiyasu@hiroshima-u.ac.jp. 11. Japan Environment and Children's Study, UOEH Subunit Center, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: kkusuhar@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp. 12. Department of Environmental Health, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address: kawamott@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment. Recent reports have demonstrated the risk of preterm birth following heavy metal exposure. Preterm births are classified as early and late, depending on the duration of pregnancy, and are associated with increased risk of congenital illnesses such as heart failure, asthma, etc. Particularly, early preterm births carry a higher risk of mortality; however, the differential effects of heavy metal exposure on early and late preterm births are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between maternal whole blood concentrations of heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) that are common toxicants in Japan, and early and late preterm births. METHODS: The data of 14,847 pregnant women who were participants of the Japan Environment and Children's Study were used. Data of the self-questionnaire pertaining to the first trimester (T1), second/third trimester (T2), and medical records after delivery were analyzed. We divided preterm birth into two groups: early preterm (22 to < 34 weeks) and late preterm (34 to < 37 weeks). Maternal blood samples for measuring heavy metal concentrations were collected in T2 (pregnancy weeks: 14-39). The participants were classified into four quartiles (Q1-Q4) according to increasing heavy metal levels. RESULTS: The rate of preterm birth was 4.5%. After controlling for confounding factors, such as age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking, partner's smoking, drinking habits, gravidity, parity, number of cesarean deliveries, uterine infections, household income, educational levels, and sex of infant, Cd levels were found, by multivariable logistic regression analysis, to be significantly associated with early preterm birth (p = 0.002), with odds ratio for early preterm birth of 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.12-3.27, P = 0.018) in subjects of Q4 compared with in subjects with term birth (≧ 37 weeks). CONCLUSION: Maternal blood Cd levels during pregnancy are positively associated with the risk of early preterm birth among Japanese women. Identification of the main source of maternal Cd exposure may contribute to the prevention of early preterm births and health maintenance of mothers and their infants in the future.
BACKGROUND: Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment. Recent reports have demonstrated the risk of preterm birth following heavy metal exposure. Preterm births are classified as early and late, depending on the duration of pregnancy, and are associated with increased risk of congenital illnesses such as heart failure, asthma, etc. Particularly, early preterm births carry a higher risk of mortality; however, the differential effects of heavy metal exposure on early and late preterm births are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between maternal whole blood concentrations of heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn) that are common toxicants in Japan, and early and late preterm births. METHODS: The data of 14,847 pregnant women who were participants of the Japan Environment and Children's Study were used. Data of the self-questionnaire pertaining to the first trimester (T1), second/third trimester (T2), and medical records after delivery were analyzed. We divided preterm birth into two groups: early preterm (22 to < 34 weeks) and late preterm (34 to < 37 weeks). Maternal blood samples for measuring heavy metal concentrations were collected in T2 (pregnancy weeks: 14-39). The participants were classified into four quartiles (Q1-Q4) according to increasing heavy metal levels. RESULTS: The rate of preterm birth was 4.5%. After controlling for confounding factors, such as age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, smoking, partner's smoking, drinking habits, gravidity, parity, number of cesarean deliveries, uterine infections, household income, educational levels, and sex of infant, Cd levels were found, by multivariable logistic regression analysis, to be significantly associated with early preterm birth (p = 0.002), with odds ratio for early preterm birth of 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.12-3.27, P = 0.018) in subjects of Q4 compared with in subjects with term birth (≧ 37 weeks). CONCLUSION: Maternal blood Cd levels during pregnancy are positively associated with the risk of early preterm birth among Japanese women. Identification of the main source of maternal Cd exposure may contribute to the prevention of early preterm births and health maintenance of mothers and their infants in the future.
Authors: Muraly Puttabyatappa; Margaret Banker; Lixia Zeng; Jaclyn M Goodrich; Steven E Domino; Dana C Dolinoy; John D Meeker; Subramaniam Pennathur; Peter X K Song; Vasantha Padmanabhan Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2020-02-01 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Stephani S Kim; John D Meeker; Rachel Carroll; Shanshan Zhao; Michael J Mourgas; Michael J Richards; Max Aung; David E Cantonwine; Thomas F McElrath; Kelly K Ferguson Journal: Environ Int Date: 2018-10-06 Impact factor: 9.621
Authors: Margaret Banker; Muraly Puttabyatappa; Patrick O'Day; Jaclyn M Goodrich; Angela S Kelley; Steven E Domino; Yolanda R Smith; Dana C Dolinoy; Peter X K Song; Richard J Auchus; Vasantha Padmanabhan Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2021-03-08 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Pahriya Ashrap; Amira Aker; Deborah J Watkins; Bhramar Mukherjee; Zaira Rosario-Pabón; Carmen M Vélez-Vega; Akram Alshawabkeh; José F Cordero; John D Meeker Journal: Environ Int Date: 2021-02-03 Impact factor: 13.352
Authors: Pahriya Ashrap; Deborah J Watkins; Ginger L Milne; Kelly K Ferguson; Rita Loch-Caruso; Jennifer Fernandez; Zaira Rosario; Carmen M Vélez-Vega; Akram Alshawabkeh; José F Cordero; John D Meeker Journal: Antioxidants (Basel) Date: 2021-01-15
Authors: Rasheda Khanam; Ishaan Kumar; Opeyemi Oladapo-Shittu; Claire Twose; Asmd Ashraful Islam; Shyam S Biswal; Rubhana Raqib; Abdullah H Baqui Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 3.390