BACKGROUND: Thousands of pregnant women are exposed to arsenic (As), which has been shown to lead to a higher risk of maternal and infant morbidity. We hypothesized that As-induced modifications to the humoral immune system may be partly responsible, and examined the relationship between As and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels.

METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited in As-contaminated rural areas in Bangladesh. Blood and urine samples, and questionnaire data were collected. We analyzed data from 202 pregnant women and a subset of 121 mother-infant pairs. Urinary-As was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and adjusted with specific gravity (U-AsSG). Maternal (IgGmat) and cord (IgGcord) serum total IgG levels were measured by an immunoturbidity assay.

RESULTS: The geometric mean U-AsSG (N = 202) was 69 μg/L (range: 3.1-1356 μg/L). Urinary-AsSG level was significantly associated with IgGmat (N = 202) (r = 0.24; 95% confidence interval = 0.10-0.36; P < 0.001) and remained so after the inclusion of maternal-associated variables in a multiple-regression model (β = 1.26; 95% confidence interval = 0.47-2.05; P < 0.01). However, U-AsSG level was not significantly associated with IgGcord level (N = 121), while IgGmat and IgGcord levels were also not associated.

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal As exposure was positively associated with the IgGmat but not IgGcord level. An elevated IgGmat level may have implications as regards maternal morbidity and the placental transfer of specific IgGs. Further studies are required to better understand how As may affect maternal and child health by modifying the humoral immune system.

Ser, 2014, 2343446

Study evaluation

Epidemiological study populations