Poster Session 4
Category: Epidemiology
Poster Session 4
Maayan Hagbi Bal, MD, MPH, Phd (she/her/hers)
OBGYN Resident PGY1
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Fair lawn, New Jersey, United States
Shimrit Yaniv Salem, MD
Faculty of Health Sciences, Joyce & Irving Goldman Medical School at Ben-Gurion University
Beer sheva, HaDarom, Israel
.jpeg.jpg "Eyal Sheiner, MD, PhD photo")
Eyal Sheiner, MD, PhD
Deichmann Lerner Full Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Chairman of the Division of OBY&GYN
Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben‑Gurion University of the Negev
beer sheva, HaDarom, Israel
Israel Yoles, MD
Obstetrician
Clalit Health Services, The Central District
Rishon Le Tzion, HaMerkaz, Israel
Noa Dina Israel-Tov
MPH
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben Gurion, HaDarom, Israel
Iris Shoam, MD
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben Gurion, HaDarom, Israel
Itai Hazan
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel
Noam Tomasis Damri, BSc
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel
Doron Bergman
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben Gurion, HaDarom, Israel
Ron Rosenbaum, BSc
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben Gurion, HaDarom, Israel
Eyal Haimov, BSc (he/him/his)
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel
Ruslan Sergienko, MHA
Data Science, Statistical Programming & Analysis, Advanced Data Management
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
ben gurion, HaDarom, Israel
Ilana Shoham Vardi, PhD
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel
Tamar Wainstock, PhD (she/her/hers)
Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Beer Sheva, HaDarom, Israel
With increasing industrialization and urbanization, concerns have arisen about the impact of environmental exposures, including heavy metals, on pregnency outcomes. Some studies suggest associations between elevated metal levels and adverse outcomes such as preterm birth (PTB), but evidence remains limited and inconsistent, especially regarding recurrent PTB. Given that prior PTB is a known risk factor for subsequent PTB, our study aimed to assess whether maternal exposure to heavy metals, especially Selenium (Se), is associated with recurrent PTB to identify potentially modifiable environmental risk factors.
Study Design:
We conducted a prospective cohort study at a tertiary center and affiliated clinics, enrolling pregnant women with prior spontaneous singleton PTB (IRB#0390-20-SOR). Maternal blood was collected at two time points to assess concentrations of 10 trace elements: chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), Se, cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). Participants completed sociodemographic questionnaires. Multivariable models assessed associations between metal levels and recurrent PTB, adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic factors.
Results:
Among 267 women enrolled, 247 (92.5%) completed follow-up, with 22.3% experiencing recurrent PTB. Women with Se above the 75th percentile had a 2.4-fold increased risk of recurrence (OR=2.37, 95%CI:1.26–4.46, p=0.01). Multivariable models confirmed the association (adj.OR=1.016 per unit, 95%CI:1.01–1.03, p=0.03; adj.OR=2.68 for >75th percentile, 95%CI:1.38–3.91, p=0.004). Linear mixed-effects models showed higher Se in women with recurrence (mean difference=6.29µg/L, 95%CI:1.37–11.20, p=0.013). First-trimester Se was strongly associated with recurrence (adj.OR=3.245, 95%CI:1.343–7.840, p=0.009); no associations were found in later trimesters.
Conclusion:
Higher maternal Se in early pregnancy is linked to recurrent PTB, with no associations seen for other metals. Findings highlight a possible gestational timing effect and suggest further research is needed before Se supplementation in pregnancy is recommended.