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Résumé :
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[BDSP. Notice produite par INIST-CNRS RSoaR0x2. Diffusion soumise à autorisation]. Research has suggested that trihalomethane exposures during pregnancy might impair fetal growth. Most epidemiologic studies, however, relied on relatively crude exposure assessment methods and did not examine racial/ethnic subgroups. During 1999-2001, vital records data were obtained for a large, racially diverse population residing in 27 Massachusetts communities that received drinking water from a single public utility. The water system was monitored weekly for trihalomethanes and, system-wide, it maintained geographically stable total trihalomethane levels during the study period. The authors examined the effects of trimester-specific and pregnancy average exposures to total trihalomethane in drinking water on term low birth weight in all singleton births. A high average total trihalomethane exposure (>=70 mug/liter) during the second trimester increased the risk of term low birth weight (odds ratio=1.50,95% confidence interval (Cl) : 1.07,2.10). The estimated risk increase for Caucasians during the second trimester was 37% (95% Cl : 0.80,2.36), while for all minority women combined (i.e., African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians) it was 60% (95% Cl : 1.03,2.47). The study data suggest that high levels (>=70 mug/liter) of trihalomethanes experienced during the second trimester and pregnancy overall may affect fetal growth.
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