Cord Serum Concentrations of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in Relation to Weight and Size at Birth

TLDR

Rodent studies have shown developmental toxicity from PFOS and PFOA exposure. The study aimed to assess the association between cord serum PFOS and PFOA levels and birth weight, size, and gestational age in humans. Cord serum from 293 newborns was analyzed for PFOS and PFOA using online solid‑phase extraction and isotope‑dilution tandem mass spectrometry, and maternal and infant data were extracted from medical charts. Higher cord serum PFOS and PFOA concentrations were associated with modest reductions in birth weight, ponderal index, and head circumference, but not with length or gestational age, and these associations were independent of lipid levels.

Abstract

BackgroundRecent studies have reported developmental toxicity among rodents dosed with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA).ObjectivesWe examined the relationship between concentrations of PFOS and PFOA in cord serum (surrogates for in utero exposures) and gestational age, birth weight, and birth size in humans.MethodsWe conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional epidemiologic study of singleton deliveries in Baltimore, Maryland. Cord serum samples (n = 293) were analyzed for PFOS and PFOA by online solid-phase extraction, coupled with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography–isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry. Maternal characteristics and anthropometric measures were obtained from medical charts.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, both PFOS and PFOA were negatively associated with birth weight [per ln-unit: β = −69 g, 95% confidence interval (CI), −149 to 10 for PFOS; β = −104 g, 95% CI, −213 to 5 for PFOA], ponderal index (per ln-unit: β = −0.074 g/cm3 × 100, 95% CI, −0.123 to −0.025 for PFOS; β = −0.070 g/cm3 × 100, 95% CI, −0.138 to −0.001 for PFOA), and head circumference (per ln-unit: β = −0.32 cm, 95% CI, −0.56 to −0.07 for PFOS; β = −0.41 cm, 95% CI, −0.76 to −0.07 for PFOA). No associations were observed between either PFOS or PFOA concentrations and newborn length or gestational age. All associations were independent of cord serum lipid concentrations.ConclusionsDespite relatively low cord serum concentrations, we observed small negative associations between both PFOS and PFOA concentrations and birth weight and size. Future studies should attempt to replicate these findings in other populations.