Prenatal flame-retardant exposure and birth outcomes in the Northern Finland mother-child cohort (NUGEN)

PBDEs are flame retardants that may affect pregnancy and birth outcomes. This study analysed 102 paired maternal–cord plasma samples from the Northern Finland cohort to examine associations between flame retardants and birth outcomes. Maternal BDE-28 was associated with birth weight and birth weight z-score (β=0.13, 95%CI: 0.04–0.22, p = 0.002) and remained significant after adjustment. Adjusted maternal BDE-153 was associated with birth weight (β=137.1, 95%CI: 5.60–268.5, p = 0.040) and birth length (β=0.65, 95%CI: 0.02–1.29, p = 0.041). Placental weight was associated with maternal BDE-28 (β=12.53, 95%CI: 1.69–23.38, p = 0.020), adjusted maternal BDE-47 (β= 16.93, 95%CI: 0.31–33.55, p = 0.040), and total cord BFRs (β=26.97, 95%CI: 0.38–53.55, p = 0.040). Gestational age was associated with maternal BDE-28 after adjustment (β=12.44, 95%CI: 1.62–23.26, p = 0.020). Inclusion of paternal factors affected some associations. These findings suggest that PBDE exposure is linked to variation in birth outcomes and that including paternal factors and population-based reference standards may influence the overall interpretation.