CGPH FACULTY: John Balmes
DATE OF PUBLICATION: October 2014
REGION: Latin America
REFERENCE: Thompson LM, Yousefi P, Penaloza R, Balmes J, Nina H. Genetic modification of the effect of maternal household air pollution exposure on birth weight in Guatemalan newborns. Genetic modification of the effect of maternal household air pollution exposure on birth weight in Guatemalan newborns. Reprod Toxicol. 2014 Oct 7. pii: S0890-6238(14)00251-2. doi: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.09.014.
SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: Low birth weight is associated with exposure to air pollution during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether null polymorphisms of Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), specifically GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in infants or mothers, modifies the association between high exposures to household air pollution (HAP) from cooking fires and birth weight. Pregnant women in rural Guatemala were randomized to receive a chimney stove or continue to use open fires for cooking. Newborns were measured within 48hours of birth. 132 mother-infant pairs provided infant genotypes (n=130) and/or maternal genotypes (n=116). Maternal null GSTM1 was associated with a 144 gram (95% CI: -291, 1) and combined maternal/infant null GSTT1 was associated with a 155 gram (95% CI -303, -8) decrease in birth weight. Although there was a trend toward higher birth weights with increasing number of expressed GST genes, the effect modification by chimney stove use was not demonstrated.
ACCESS: Link to Pubmed