Study on the influencing factors of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in cord blood

Abstract

ObjectiveTo measure perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） in cord blood of newborns in Henan province and explore influencing factors of PFASs exposure.MethodsThe present study was based on the birth cohort established in Henan Province from 2013 to 2015. The levels of 11 PFASs in cord blood samples （n＝336） were detected. Generalized linear regression was used to analyze the effects of maternal socio­demographic characteristics， life style and dietary intake on the level of PFASs in umbilical blood of newborns.ResultsThe newborns of older mothers （GM ratio 1.03-1.05）， higher average monthly family income （GM ratio 1.30-1.63）， pregnancy smoking （GM ratio 2.90， 95% CI：1.11， 7.56） and passive smoking （GM ratio 1.84， 95%CI： 1.02， 3.32） tend to show higher PFAS exposure in cord blood. Newborns whose mothers worked during pregnancy （GM ratio 0.82， 95%CI：0.67，1.00）， and with multiparous mothers （GM ratio 0.65， 95% CI： 0.51， 0.82） had lower concentrations of PFASs. Mothers who had higher intake frequency of beef or mutton， pumpkin， garlic seedlings and pickles during pregnancy tend to have increased concentrations of PFASs in cord blood （GM ratio was 1.33-1.80）， while the concentration was lower during mothers who consumed more oranges， milk， cabbage and eggplant during pregnancy （GM ratio was 0.68-0.82）.ConclusionMaternal age， family income， history of smoke and passively smoke during pregnancy， parity， frequency of beef or mutton， and plant­based foods intake may affect PFASs exposure of newborns.

Keywords

• perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances
• umbilical cord blood
• exposure level
• influencing factors