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Thuesday, May18th, 2010
Smoking during pregnancy is associated with higher dietary intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and poor diet quality
Other than tobacco smoke and occupational exposures, diet is the main source of human PAH exposure. DESIGN: Prospective birth cohort study. Dietary exposure to total PAH and BaP was calculated combining food consumption data and estimated PAH concentrations in foods.
One-way ANOVA was used to assess differences in intake among non-smokers, passive or active smokers. Linear regression was used to assess factors related to higher intake, and associations between dietary PAH and birth weight. SETTING: Sabadell, Spain, 2004-2006. SUBJECTS: Women (n 657) recruited during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Results
The mean dietary intake of BaP and total PAH was significantly higher among active (0.199 and 10.207 mcg/d, respectively) and passive smokers (0.196 and 9.458 mcg/d) than among non-smokers (0.181 and 8.757 mcg/d; P value < 0.005). Maternal age, educational level and region of origin were also associated with higher BaP intake. In all women, major contributors to PAH intake were processed/cured meats, cereals/potatoes and shellfish. Elevated first trimester dietary BaP was associated with a significant reduction in birth weight (fourth v. first quartile: beta = -142.73 g, P value < 0.05).
Conclusions
Active and passive smokers had higher dietary PAH exposure during pregnancy because of higher intake of processed meats and shellfish. As tobacco smoke is an additional route of PAH exposure, the added dietary burden in these women is of concern.
Note: Authors of the study: Duarte-Salles T, Méndez MA, Pessoa V, Guxens M, Aguilera I, Kogevinas M, Sunyer J.