Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts

Eva Govarts; Mark Nieuwenhuijsen; Greet Schoeters; Ferran Ballester; Karolien Bloemen; Michiel de Boer; Cécile Chevrier; Merete Eggesbø; Mònica Guxens; Ursula Krämer; Juliette Legler; David Martínez; Lubica Palkovicova; Evridiki Patelarou; Ulrich Ranft; Arja Rautio; Maria Skaalum Petersen; Rémy Slama; Hein Stigum; Gunnar Toft; Tomas Trnovec; Stéphanie Vandentorren; Pál Weihe; Nynke Weisglas Kuperus; Michael Wilhelm; Jürgen Wittsiepe; Jens Peter Bonde; OBELIX

doi:10.1289/ehp.1103767

Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts

Eva Govarts, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen, Greet Schoeters, Ferran Ballester, Karolien Bloemen, Michiel de Boer, Cécile Chevrier, Merete Eggesbø, Mònica Guxens, Ursula Krämer, Juliette Legler, David Martínez, Lubica Palkovicova, Evridiki Patelarou, Ulrich Ranft, Arja Rautio, Maria Skaalum Petersen, Rémy Slama, Hein Stigum, Gunnar ToftTomas Trnovec, Stéphanie Vandentorren, Pál Weihe, Nynke Weisglas Kuperus, Michael Wilhelm, Jürgen Wittsiepe, Jens Peter Bonde, OBELIX

207 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Exposure to high concentrations of persistent organochlorines may cause fetal toxicity, but the evidence at low exposure levels is limited. Large studies with substantial exposure contrasts and appropriate exposure assessment are warranted. Within the framework of the EU (European Union) ENRIECO (ENvironmental Health RIsks in European Birth Cohorts) and EU OBELIX (OBesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: LInking prenatal eXposure to the development of obesity later in life) projects, we examined the hypothesis that the combination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) adversely affects birth weight. Methods: We used maternal and cord blood and breast milk samples of 7,990 women enrolled in 15 study populations from 12 European birth cohorts from 1990 through 2008. Using identical variable definitions, we performed for each cohort linear regression of birth weight on estimates of cord serum concentration of PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE adjusted for gestational age and apriori selected covariates. We obtained summary estimates by meta-analysis and performed analyses of interactions. Results: The median concentration of cord serum PCB-153 was 140ng/L (range of cohort medians 20-484ng/L) and that of p,p'-DDE was 528ng/L (range of cohort medians 50-1,208ng/L). Birth weight decreased with increasing cord serum concentration of PCB-153 after adjustment for potential confounders in 12 of 15 study populations. The meta-analysis including all cohorts indicated a birth weight decline of 150g [95% confidence interval (CI): -250, -50g] per 1-μg/L increase in PCB-153, an exposure contrast that is close to the range of exposures across the cohorts. A 1-μg/L increase in p,p'-DDE was associated with a 7-g decrease in birth weight (95% CI: -18, 4g). Conclusions: The findings suggest that low-level exposure to PCB (or correlated exposures) impairs fetal growth, but that exposure to p,p'-DDE does not. The study adds to mounting evidence that low-level exposure to PCBs is inversely associated with fetal growth.

Original language	English
Journal	Environmental Health Perspectives
Volume	120
Issue number	2
Pages (from-to)	162-70
Number of pages	9
ISSN	0091-6765
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767 https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767
Publication status	Published - Feb 2012

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Govarts, E., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Schoeters, G., Ballester, F., Bloemen, K., de Boer, M., Chevrier, C., Eggesbø, M., Guxens, M., Krämer, U., Legler, J., Martínez, D., Palkovicova, L., Patelarou, E., Ranft, U., Rautio, A., Petersen, M. S., Slama, R., Stigum, H., ... OBELIX (2012). Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(2), 162-70. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767, https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767

Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) : a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts. / Govarts, Eva; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark; Schoeters, Greet et al.

In: Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 120, No. 2, 02.2012, p. 162-70.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Govarts, E, Nieuwenhuijsen, M, Schoeters, G, Ballester, F, Bloemen, K, de Boer, M, Chevrier, C, Eggesbø, M, Guxens, M, Krämer, U, Legler, J, Martínez, D, Palkovicova, L, Patelarou, E, Ranft, U, Rautio, A, Petersen, MS, Slama, R, Stigum, H, Toft, G, Trnovec, T, Vandentorren, S, Weihe, P, Kuperus, NW, Wilhelm, M, Wittsiepe, J, Bonde, JP & OBELIX 2012, 'Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts', Environmental Health Perspectives, vol. 120, no. 2, pp. 162-70. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767, https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767

Govarts E, Nieuwenhuijsen M, Schoeters G, Ballester F, Bloemen K, de Boer M et al. Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2012 Feb;120(2):162-70. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1103767, http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1103767

@article{c8a2a005a0764a789f2539d3784d7cd3,

title = "Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts",

abstract = "Objectives: Exposure to high concentrations of persistent organochlorines may cause fetal toxicity, but the evidence at low exposure levels is limited. Large studies with substantial exposure contrasts and appropriate exposure assessment are warranted. Within the framework of the EU (European Union) ENRIECO (ENvironmental Health RIsks in European Birth Cohorts) and EU OBELIX (OBesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: LInking prenatal eXposure to the development of obesity later in life) projects, we examined the hypothesis that the combination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) adversely affects birth weight. Methods: We used maternal and cord blood and breast milk samples of 7,990 women enrolled in 15 study populations from 12 European birth cohorts from 1990 through 2008. Using identical variable definitions, we performed for each cohort linear regression of birth weight on estimates of cord serum concentration of PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE adjusted for gestational age and apriori selected covariates. We obtained summary estimates by meta-analysis and performed analyses of interactions. Results: The median concentration of cord serum PCB-153 was 140ng/L (range of cohort medians 20-484ng/L) and that of p,p'-DDE was 528ng/L (range of cohort medians 50-1,208ng/L). Birth weight decreased with increasing cord serum concentration of PCB-153 after adjustment for potential confounders in 12 of 15 study populations. The meta-analysis including all cohorts indicated a birth weight decline of 150g [95% confidence interval (CI): -250, -50g] per 1-μg/L increase in PCB-153, an exposure contrast that is close to the range of exposures across the cohorts. A 1-μg/L increase in p,p'-DDE was associated with a 7-g decrease in birth weight (95% CI: -18, 4g). Conclusions: The findings suggest that low-level exposure to PCB (or correlated exposures) impairs fetal growth, but that exposure to p,p'-DDE does not. The study adds to mounting evidence that low-level exposure to PCBs is inversely associated with fetal growth.",

author = "Eva Govarts and Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Greet Schoeters and Ferran Ballester and Karolien Bloemen and {de Boer}, Michiel and C{\'e}cile Chevrier and Merete Eggesb{\o} and M{\`o}nica Guxens and Ursula Kr{\"a}mer and Juliette Legler and David Mart{\'i}nez and Lubica Palkovicova and Evridiki Patelarou and Ulrich Ranft and Arja Rautio and Petersen, {Maria Skaalum} and R{\'e}my Slama and Hein Stigum and Gunnar Toft and Tomas Trnovec and St{\'e}phanie Vandentorren and P{\'a}l Weihe and Kuperus, {Nynke Weisglas} and Michael Wilhelm and J{\"u}rgen Wittsiepe and Bonde, {Jens Peter} and Bonde, {Jens Peter}",

year = "2012",

month = feb,

doi = "10.1289/ehp.1103767",

language = "English",

volume = "120",

pages = "162--70",

journal = "Environmental Health Perspectives",

issn = "0091-6765",

publisher = "National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences",

number = "2",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE)

T2 - a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts

AU - Govarts, Eva

AU - Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark

AU - Schoeters, Greet

AU - Ballester, Ferran

AU - Bloemen, Karolien

AU - de Boer, Michiel

AU - Chevrier, Cécile

AU - Eggesbø, Merete

AU - Guxens, Mònica

AU - Krämer, Ursula

AU - Legler, Juliette

AU - Martínez, David

AU - Palkovicova, Lubica

AU - Patelarou, Evridiki

AU - Ranft, Ulrich

AU - Rautio, Arja

AU - Petersen, Maria Skaalum

AU - Slama, Rémy

AU - Stigum, Hein

AU - Toft, Gunnar

AU - Trnovec, Tomas

AU - Vandentorren, Stéphanie

AU - Weihe, Pál

AU - Kuperus, Nynke Weisglas

AU - Wilhelm, Michael

AU - Wittsiepe, Jürgen

AU - Bonde, Jens Peter

AU - OBELIX

PY - 2012/2

Y1 - 2012/2

N2 - Objectives: Exposure to high concentrations of persistent organochlorines may cause fetal toxicity, but the evidence at low exposure levels is limited. Large studies with substantial exposure contrasts and appropriate exposure assessment are warranted. Within the framework of the EU (European Union) ENRIECO (ENvironmental Health RIsks in European Birth Cohorts) and EU OBELIX (OBesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: LInking prenatal eXposure to the development of obesity later in life) projects, we examined the hypothesis that the combination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) adversely affects birth weight. Methods: We used maternal and cord blood and breast milk samples of 7,990 women enrolled in 15 study populations from 12 European birth cohorts from 1990 through 2008. Using identical variable definitions, we performed for each cohort linear regression of birth weight on estimates of cord serum concentration of PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE adjusted for gestational age and apriori selected covariates. We obtained summary estimates by meta-analysis and performed analyses of interactions. Results: The median concentration of cord serum PCB-153 was 140ng/L (range of cohort medians 20-484ng/L) and that of p,p'-DDE was 528ng/L (range of cohort medians 50-1,208ng/L). Birth weight decreased with increasing cord serum concentration of PCB-153 after adjustment for potential confounders in 12 of 15 study populations. The meta-analysis including all cohorts indicated a birth weight decline of 150g [95% confidence interval (CI): -250, -50g] per 1-μg/L increase in PCB-153, an exposure contrast that is close to the range of exposures across the cohorts. A 1-μg/L increase in p,p'-DDE was associated with a 7-g decrease in birth weight (95% CI: -18, 4g). Conclusions: The findings suggest that low-level exposure to PCB (or correlated exposures) impairs fetal growth, but that exposure to p,p'-DDE does not. The study adds to mounting evidence that low-level exposure to PCBs is inversely associated with fetal growth.

AB - Objectives: Exposure to high concentrations of persistent organochlorines may cause fetal toxicity, but the evidence at low exposure levels is limited. Large studies with substantial exposure contrasts and appropriate exposure assessment are warranted. Within the framework of the EU (European Union) ENRIECO (ENvironmental Health RIsks in European Birth Cohorts) and EU OBELIX (OBesogenic Endocrine disrupting chemicals: LInking prenatal eXposure to the development of obesity later in life) projects, we examined the hypothesis that the combination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) adversely affects birth weight. Methods: We used maternal and cord blood and breast milk samples of 7,990 women enrolled in 15 study populations from 12 European birth cohorts from 1990 through 2008. Using identical variable definitions, we performed for each cohort linear regression of birth weight on estimates of cord serum concentration of PCB-153 and p,p'-DDE adjusted for gestational age and apriori selected covariates. We obtained summary estimates by meta-analysis and performed analyses of interactions. Results: The median concentration of cord serum PCB-153 was 140ng/L (range of cohort medians 20-484ng/L) and that of p,p'-DDE was 528ng/L (range of cohort medians 50-1,208ng/L). Birth weight decreased with increasing cord serum concentration of PCB-153 after adjustment for potential confounders in 12 of 15 study populations. The meta-analysis including all cohorts indicated a birth weight decline of 150g [95% confidence interval (CI): -250, -50g] per 1-μg/L increase in PCB-153, an exposure contrast that is close to the range of exposures across the cohorts. A 1-μg/L increase in p,p'-DDE was associated with a 7-g decrease in birth weight (95% CI: -18, 4g). Conclusions: The findings suggest that low-level exposure to PCB (or correlated exposures) impairs fetal growth, but that exposure to p,p'-DDE does not. The study adds to mounting evidence that low-level exposure to PCBs is inversely associated with fetal growth.

U2 - 10.1289/ehp.1103767

DO - 10.1289/ehp.1103767

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0091-6765

VL - 120

SP - 162

EP - 170

JO - Environmental Health Perspectives

JF - Environmental Health Perspectives

IS - 2

ER -

Birth weight and prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): a meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts

Abstract

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