Maternal Serum, Cord and Human Milk Levels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Association with Predictors and Effect on Newborn Anthropometry
Maya Mahfouz,
Mireille Harmouche-Karaki,
Joseph Matta,
Yara Mahfouz,
Pascale Salameh,
Hassan Younes,
Khalil Helou,
Ramzi Finan,
Georges Abi-Tayeh,
Mohamad Meslimani,
Ghada Moussa,
Nada Chahrour,
Camille Osseiran,
Farouk Skaiki,
Jean-François Narbonne
Affiliations
Maya Mahfouz
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O. Box 115076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon
Mireille Harmouche-Karaki
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O. Box 115076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon
Joseph Matta
Industrial Research Institute, Lebanese University Campus, Hadath Baabda P.O. Box 112806, Lebanon
Yara Mahfouz
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O. Box 115076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon
Pascale Salameh
School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos 1102 2801, Lebanon
Hassan Younes
Institut Polytechnique UniLaSalle, Collège Santé, Equipe PANASH, Membre de l’ULR 7519, Université d’Artois, 19 Rue Pierre Waguet, 60026 Beauvais, France
Khalil Helou
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Medical Sciences Campus, Damascus Road, P.O. Box 115076, Riad Solh Beirut 1107 2180, Lebanon
Ramzi Finan
Hotel-Dieu de France, Saint Joseph University of Beirut Hospital, Blvd Alfred Naccache, Beirut P.O. Box 166830, Lebanon
Georges Abi-Tayeh
Hotel-Dieu de France, Saint Joseph University of Beirut Hospital, Blvd Alfred Naccache, Beirut P.O. Box 166830, Lebanon
Mohamad Meslimani
General Management, Chtoura Hospital, Beqaa, Lebanon
Ghada Moussa
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chtoura Hospital, Beqaa, Lebanon
Nada Chahrour
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, SRH University Hospital, Nabatieh, Lebanon
Camille Osseiran
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kassab Hospital, Saida, Lebanon
Farouk Skaiki
Department of Molecular Biology, General Management, Al Karim Medical Laboratories, Saida, Lebanon
Jean-François Narbonne
Laboratoire de Physico-Toxico Chimie des Systèmes Naturels, University of Bordeaux, CEDEX, 33405 Talence France
Background: The understanding of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) health effects is rapidly advancing among critical populations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess PFAS serum levels among Lebanese pregnant women, cord serum and human milk levels, their determinants, and effects on newborn anthropometry. Methods: We measured concentrations of six PFAS (PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA and PFDA) using liquid chromatography MS/MS for 419 participants, of which 269 had sociodemographic, anthropometric, environmental and dietary information. Results: The percentage of detection for PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS was 36.3–37.7%. PFOA and PFOS levels (95th percentile) were higher than HBM-I and HBM-II values. While PFAS were not detected in cord serum, five compounds were detected in human milk. Multivariate regression showed that fish/shellfish consumption, vicinity to illegal incineration and higher educational level were associated with an almost twice higher risk of elevated PFHpA, PFOA, PFHxS and PFOS serum levels. Higher PFAS levels in human milk were observed with higher eggs and dairy products consumption, in addition to tap water (preliminary findings). Higher PFHpA was significantly associated with lower newborn weight-for-length Z-score at birth. Conclusions: Findings establish the need for further studies, and urgent action to reduce exposure among subgroups with higher PFAS levels.
