Soumiya Jeyakumar
Research Mentor: Nadia Saadat
Mentor Department: Pediatrics, Medicine
Author(s): Soumiya Jeyakumar, Dawn Misra, Carmen Giurgescu, Vasantha Padmanabhan, Nadia Saadat
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Abstract
Maternal health is influenced by environmental factors such as exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), affecting pregnancy outcomes. Our objective in this pilot study is to investigate and understand the relationship of PFAS chemicals with maternal health, such as chronic health conditions and socioenvironmental variables, such as highest level of education and annual household income. This project utilizes data from the Social Stresses and Inflammation Cohort, investigating maternal factors influencing birth outcomes. Pregnant women (n = 103) were recruited in a prenatal clinic in the Midwest and completed questionnaires, along with getting their blood drawn at a prenatal visit. To see the potential association between the variables, a correlational analysis was conducted through SPSS. The preliminary data shows no significant association between any of the PFAS compounds, annual household income, and highest level of education. However, there was a significant association between PFNA and diabetes/high blood sugar, as well as PFUA and thyroid problems. It is critical to understand and elaborate on the influences of these variables on pregnancy outcomes and how they influence one another. With that being said, ideas and concepts are still being introduced, thus the investigation is still ongoing. Due to the sample size of this pilot study being small, a follow-up study involving a larger sample size could be beneficial to understand the influence of PFAS chemicals and how they may be associated with socioeconomic factors. Adverse maternal health conditions, such as diabetes and thyroid problems, can influence pregnancy outcomes. Efforts to further understand the relationship between PFAS chemicals and these health conditions could identify potential intervention strategies to improve maternal health and pregnancy outcomes.
