Premium
Exposure to hexachlorobenzene during pregnancy increases the risk of overweight in children aged 6 years
Author(s) -
Smink Agnes,
RibasFito Nuria,
Garcia Raquel,
Torrent Maties,
Mendez Michelle A,
Grimalt Joan O,
Sunyer Jordi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00937.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hexachlorobenzene , overweight , cord blood , body mass index , pregnancy , birth weight , population , prenatal exposure , obstetrics , pediatrics , offspring , environmental health , chemistry , biology , pollutant , genetics , organic chemistry
Aim: To determine whether prenatal exposure to hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has potential adverse effects on child's weight and body mass index (BMI) in a general population with no local pollution sources. Methods: Starting from mid 1997, all mothers presenting for antenatal exposure in Menorca were recruited. Subsequently, 482 children were enrolled. HCB was measured in cord blood. Weight and height were measured at birth and at age 6.5 years. Results: Children with HCB levels higher than 1.03 ng/mL in cord blood were 1.14 kg (0.38) heavier and had a higher BMI (β= 0.80 (0.34)) than children with HCB levels lower than 0.46 ng/mL. No statistically significant associations were found in height. Children in the higher exposure group of HCB had an increased risk of 2.5 and 3.0 of being overweight and obese. Children from normalweight mothers also presented an increased risk of having higher BMI with increasing concentrations of HCB in cord serum. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to HCB is associated with an increase in BMI and weight at age 6.5 years. Further studies with larger samples and longer follow‐up are needed to confirm these results.