Prenatal exposure to perfluorinated compounds affects birth weight through GSTM1 polymorphism

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms on the association of prenatal exposure to perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) with birth weight. Methods: We analyzed the level of eight PFCs in cord blood and two genetic polymorphisms in maternal blood of 268 subjects. Results: Concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) showed significant association with a decrease in birth weight (P<0.05). In mothers with glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) null genotype, concentrations of PFNA, PFDA, and PFUnDA showed significantly negative association with birth weight (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that GSTM1 polymorphism might affect the association between exposure to PFCs and birth weight, suggesting the effect of genetic susceptibility on the relationship between prenatal PFCs exposure and birth outcomes.