Association between Chronic Arsenic Exposure and Nutritional Status among the Women of Child Bearing Age: A Case-Control Study in Bangladesh

Abul H. Milton, S. M. Shahidullah, Wayne Smith, Kazi S. Hossain, Ziaul Hasan and Kazi T. Ahmed
Additional contact information
Abul H. Milton: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
S. M. Shahidullah: NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, 4/6, Block-E, Lalmatia,Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Wayne Smith: Centre for Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics (CCEB), School of Medicine, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
Kazi S. Hossain: Centre for Health and Development (CHAD), Ramdia, Bethuria, Kashiani, Gopalgonj, Bangladesh
Ziaul Hasan: NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, 4/6, Block-E, Lalmatia,Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Kazi T. Ahmed: NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation, 4/6, Block-E, Lalmatia,Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

IJERPH, 2010, vol. 7, issue 7, 1-11

Abstract: The role of nutritional factors in arsenic metabolism and toxicity is yet to be fully elucidated. A low protein diet results in decreased excretion of DMA and increased tissue retention of arsenic in experimental studies. Malnourished women carry a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Chronic exposure to high arsenic (>50 µg/L) through drinking water also increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The synergistic effects (if any) of malnutrition and chronic arsenic exposure may worsen the adverse pregnancy outcomes. This population based case control study reports the association between chronic arsenic exposure and nutritional status among the rural women in Bangladesh. 348 cases (BMI 50 µg/L were at 1.9 times (Odds Ratio = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.6) increased risk of malnutrition compared to unexposed. The findings of this study suggest that chronic arsenic exposure is likely to contribute to poor nutritional status among women of 20–45 years.

Keywords: arsenic; nutritional status; reproductive aged women (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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