Impact of Drinking Water Trihalomethanes on Birth Weight and Growth
Author Information
Author(s): Grazuleviciene Regina, Nieuwenhuijsen Mark J, Vencloviene Jone, Kostopoulou-Karadanelli Maria, Krasner Stuart W, Danileviciute Asta, Balcius Gediminas, Kapustinskiene Violeta
Primary Institution: Department of Environmental Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
Hypothesis
Does exposure to trihalomethanes in drinking water during pregnancy affect fetal growth and birth weight?
Conclusion
Increased internal doses of trihalomethanes during pregnancy may negatively impact fetal growth and increase the risk of low birth weight.
Supporting Evidence
- Women with higher exposure to trihalomethanes had an increased risk of low birth weight.
- Chloroform exposure was associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of low birth weight.
- Most participants were non-smokers and highly educated.
Takeaway
Drinking water with certain chemicals can make babies smaller when they are born. This study looked at how much of these chemicals pregnant women were exposed to.
Methodology
A cohort study of 4,161 pregnant women was conducted, assessing individual exposure to trihalomethanes through water consumption and bathing habits.
Potential Biases
Potential residential confounding due to unmeasured environmental exposures.
Limitations
The study did not account for residential air pollution exposure and lacked information on maternal nutrition and infections.
Participant Demographics
Predominantly Lithuanian women, mean age 28.4 years, 54.3% with a university degree, 93.1% non-smokers.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.01-1.19
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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