A Review of the Effects of Chronic Arsenic Exposure on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Abul H. Milton, Sumaira Hussain, Shahnaz Akter, Mijanur Rahman, Tafzila A. Mouly and Kane Mitchell
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Abul H. Milton: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia
Sumaira Hussain: Mercy Corps, Pak Palace, Murree Road, Rawal Chowk, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Shahnaz Akter: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia
Mijanur Rahman: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia
Tafzila A. Mouly: Centre for Health and Development (CHAD), Dhaka 1219, Bangladesh
Kane Mitchell: Managing Principal, JBS&G, Brisbane 4000, Australia

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Exposure to arsenic has a number of known detrimental health effects but impact on pregnancy outcomes is not as widely recognized. This narrative review examines existing epidemiological evidence investigating the association between arsenic exposure via drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcomes. We reviewed published epidemiological studies from around the world on impact of chronic arsenic exposure on spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, neonatal death, post neonatal death, low birth weight and preterm baby. Plausible mechanisms of arsenic toxicity causing adverse pregnancy outcomes were also determined through literature review. There is convincing evidence to support the association between high inorganic arsenic exposure (>50 ppb) and spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and low birth weight. Limitations of certain studies include study design, small sample size, recall constraints and exposure assessment. There needs to be further research investigating the dose metered impact of arsenic exposure on pregnancy outcomes. Further research on impact of low–moderate arsenic concentration exposure on pregnancy outcomes will allow for appropriate public health policy recommendations.

Keywords: arsenic; pregnancy outcomes; chronic exposure; drinking water (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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