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Predictors of Maternal Serum Concentrations for Selected Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Pregnant Women and Associations with Birth Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Mphatso Mwapasa

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Sandra Huber

    (Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of North Norway, 9038 Tromsø, Norway)

  • Bertha Magreta Chakhame

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    School of Maternal, Neonatal and Reproductive Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi)

  • Alfred Maluwa

    (Directorate of Research and Outreach, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo 310106, Malawi)

  • Maria Lisa Odland

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre 312233, Malawi
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Olav’s Hospital, 7030 Trondheim, Norway
    Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK)

  • Victor Ndhlovu

    (School of Life Sciences and Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi)

  • Halina Röllin

    (School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Shanshan Xu

    (Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, 5009 Bergen, Norway)

  • Jon Øyvind Odland

    (Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Directorate of Research and Outreach, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo 310106, Malawi
    School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

Abstract

Population exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may result in detrimental health effects, especially to pregnant women, developing foetuses and young children. We are reporting the findings of a cross-sectional study of 605 mothers in their late pregnancy, recruited between August 2020 and July 2021 in southern Malawi, and their offspring. The aim was to measure the concentrations of selected POPs in their maternal serum and indicate associations with social demographic characteristics and birth outcomes. A high level of education was the main predictor of p,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.008), p,p ′-DDT ( p < 0.001), cis-NC ( p = 0.014), o,p ′-DDT ( p = 0.019) and o,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.019) concentrations in maternal serum. Multiparity was negatively associated with o,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.021) concentrations. Maternal age was also positively associated ( p,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.013), o,p ′-DDT ( p = 0.017) and o,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.045) concentrations. Living in rural areas was inversely associated with high maternal serum concentrations of p,p ′-DDT ( p < 0.001). Gestational age was positively associated with p,p ′-DDE ( p = 0.031), p,p ′-DDT ( p = 0.010) and o,p ′-DDT ( p = 0.022) concentrations. Lastly, an inverse association was observed between head circumference and t-NC ( p = 0.044), Oxychlordane ( p = 0.01) and cis-NC ( p = 0.048). These results highlight the need to continue monitoring levels of POPs among vulnerable populations in the southern hemisphere.

Suggested Citation

  • Mphatso Mwapasa & Sandra Huber & Bertha Magreta Chakhame & Alfred Maluwa & Maria Lisa Odland & Victor Ndhlovu & Halina Röllin & Shanshan Xu & Jon Øyvind Odland, 2023. "Predictors of Maternal Serum Concentrations for Selected Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Pregnant Women and Associations with Birth Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5289-:d:1109283
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wenjing Guo & Bohu Pan & Sugunadevi Sakkiah & Gokhan Yavas & Weigong Ge & Wen Zou & Weida Tong & Huixiao Hong, 2019. "Persistent Organic Pollutants in Food: Contamination Sources, Health Effects and Detection Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-29, November.
    2. Margit Steinholt & Shanshan Xu & Sam Ol Ha & Duong Trong Phi & Maria Lisa Odland & Jon Øyvind Odland, 2020. "Serum Concentrations of Selected Organochlorines in Pregnant Women and Associations with Pregnancy Outcomes. A Cross-Sectional Study from Two Rural Settings in Cambodia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Mphatso Mwapasa & Sandra Huber & Bertha Magreta Chakhame & Alfred Maluwa & Maria Lisa Odland & Halina Röllin & Augustine Choko & Shanshan Xu & Jon Øyvind Odland, 2023. "Serum Concentrations of Selected Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Pregnant Women and Associations with Birth Outcomes. A Cross-Sectional Study from Southern Malawi," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Mohammad H. Rahbar & Maureen Samms-Vaughan & Manouchehr Hessabi & Aisha S. Dickerson & MinJae Lee & Jan Bressler & Sara E. Tomechko & Emily K. Moreno & Katherine A. Loveland & Charlene Coore Desai & S, 2016. "Concentrations of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Organochlorine Pesticides in Umbilical Cord Blood Serum of Newborns in Kingston, Jamaica," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-11, October.
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