Association of emerging and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion

Emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) alternatives are increasingly used in daily life. Although legacy PFAS have been associated with miscarriage in previous studies, it remains unknown whether exposure to emerging and legacy PFAS has any impact on the risk of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). We conducted a case-control study with 464 URSA cases who had at least 2 unexplained miscarriages and 440 normal controls who had at least one normal livebirth. Concentrations of 21 PFAS in plasma, including three emerging PFAS alternatives, eight linear and branched PFAS isomers, four short-chain PFAS, and six legacy PFAS, were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Multiple logistic regression was applied to evaluate the relationship between PFAS and URSA risk. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, median: 6.18 ng/mL), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS, median: 4.10 ng/ mL), and 6:2 chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA, median: 2.27 ng/mL) were the pre -dominant PFAS in the controls. Exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.18 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.39)] and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) [aOR = 1.35 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.59)] were signifi-cantly associated with increased risks of URSA. Women with older age (> 30 years old) had a stronger association between PFAS and URSA. Our results suggest that emerging PFAS alternatives may be an important risk factor for URSA.

Automated summary

Emerging PFAS alternatives may be an important risk factor for URSA. Exposure to 6:2 Cl-PFESA and HFPO-DA is significantly associated with increased risks of URSA. The association between PFAS and URSA is stronger in women with older age.