Prenatal flame-retardant exposure and birth outcomes in the Northern Finland mother-child cohort (NUGEN).

Abstract

PBDEs are flame retardants that may affect pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study analysed 102 paired maternal-cord plasma samples from the Northern Finland cohort to examine associations between flame retardants and birth outcomes. Maternal BDE-28 was associated with birth weight and birth weight z-score (β=0.13, 95%CI: 0.04-0.22, p=0.002) and remained significant after adjustment. Adjusted maternal BDE-153 was associated with birth weight (β=137.1, 95%CI: 5.60-268.5, p=0.040) and birth length (β=0.65, 95%CI: 0.02-1.29, p=0.041). Placental weight was associated with maternal BDE-28 (β=12.53, 95%CI: 1.69-23.38, p=0.020), adjusted maternal BDE-47 (β= 16.93, 95%CI: 0.31-33.55, p=0.040), and total cord BFRs (β=26.97, 95%CI: 0.38-53.55, p=0.040). Gestational age was associated with maternal BDE-28 after adjustment (β=12.44, 95%CI: 1.62-23.26, p=0.020). Inclusion of paternal factors affected some associations. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure is linked to variation in birth outcomes and that including paternal factors and population-based reference standards may influence the overall interpretation.