Arsenic exposure and risk of preeclampsia in a Mexican mestizo population.

BACKGROUND

Exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been associated with various complications of pregnancy including fetal loss, low birth weight, anemia, gestational diabetes and spontaneous abortion. However, to date, there are no studies evaluating its possible association with preeclampsia.

METHODS

This case-control study involved 104 preeclamptic and 202 healthy pregnant women. The concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and urine were measured using a Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer.

RESULTS

We found relatively low levels of arsenic in household tap water (range of 2.48-76.02 μg/L) and in the urine of the participants (7.1 μg/L vs 6.78 μg/L in cases and controls, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis between groups showed for the first time that at these lower levels of exposure there is no association with preeclampsia.