ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effects of Elevated Levels of Manganese and Iron
in Drinking Water on Birth Outcomes
R. Grazuleviciene1, R. Nadisauskiene2, J. Buinauskiene2, T. Grazulevicius1
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1Vytautas Magnus University, Department of Environmental Sciences,
Donelaicio 58, 44248-LT Kaunas, Lithuania
2Kaunas University of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Eiveniu 4, 50167-LT Kaunas, Lithuania
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2009;18(5):819-825
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
We examined the impact of elevated exposure levels of pregnant women to manganese and iron through
drinking water on pregnancy outcomes. We conducted an epidemiological study among 16,408 pregnant
women of Kaunas. We assessed each woman at her residence for exposure to manganese and iron levels measured
in four Kaunas public water supply networks. We used a logistic regression to model the association
between drinking water quality and birth outcomes controlling the confounding variables. Analysis yielded an
increase in adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for term low birth weight (LBW) for moderate exposure level, 1.53
(95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89-2.66); and 1.70 (95% CI 1.07-2.71) for high exposure level. Maternal
exposure was associated with a mean reduction of 21 g (SE, 9 g; p=0.02) in birth weight. No associations were
observed between manganese and iron levels and preterm birth. These findings suggest that elevated levels of
manganese and iron in drinking water are associated with a reduction in birth weight in term-born infants.
However, further individual-level epidemiologic studies are necessary to investigate the factors that contribute
to the increased sensitivity of some pregnant women.