Maternal arsenic exposure associated with low birth weight in Bangladesh

Objective: To characterize the effects of maternal arsenic exposure on birth weight. Methods: Hair, toenail, and drinking water samples were collected from pregnant women (n = 52) at multiple time points during pregnancy and from their newborns after birth. Total arsenic was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The association between arsenic and birth weight was investigated using linear and logistic regression models. Results: Maternal hair arsenic measured early in pregnancy was associated with decreased birth weight (beta = - 193.5 +/- 90.0 g, P = 0.04). Maternal hair and drinking water arsenic levels measured at first prenatal visit were significantly correlated with newborn hair arsenic level (beta = 0.32, P = 0.04 and beta = 0.31, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Results suggest that maternal arsenic exposure early in pregnancy negatively affects newborn birth weight and that maternal hair provides the best integrated measure of arsenic exposure.