Estimated risk for altered fetal growth resulting from exposure to fine particles during pregnancy: an epidemiologic prospective cohort study in Poland.

The purpose of this study was to estimate exposure of pregnant women in Poland to fine particulate matter [less than or equal to 2.5 microm in diameter (PM 2.5)] and to assess its effect on the birth outcomes. The cohort consisted of 362 pregnant women who gave birth between 34 and 43 weeks of gestation. The enrollment included only nonsmoking women with singleton pregnancies, 18-35 years of age, who were free from chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. PM 2.5 was measured by personal air monitoring over 48 hr during the second trimester of pregnancy. All assessed birth effects were adjusted in multiple linear regression models for potential confounding factors such as the size of mother (maternal height, prepregnancy weight), parity, sex of child, gestational age, season of birth, and self-reported environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The regression model explained 35% of the variability in birth weight (beta = -200.8, p = 0.03), and both regression coefficients for PM 2.5 and birth length (beta = -1.44, p = 0.01) and head circumference (HC; beta = -0.73, p = 0.02) were significant as well. In all regression models, the effect of ETS was insignificant. Predicted reduction in birth weight at an increase of exposure from 10 to 50 microg/m3 was 140.3 g. The corresponding predicted reduction of birth length would be 1.0 cm, and of HC, 0.5 cm. The study provides new and convincing epidemiologic evidence that high personal exposure to fine particles is associated with adverse effects on the developing fetus. These results indicate the need to reduce ambient fine particulate concentrations. However, further research should establish possible biologic mechanisms explaining the observed relationship.

Effect of prenatal PAH exposure on birth outcomes and neurocognitive development in a cohort of newborns in Poland. Study design and preliminary ambient data.

Preliminary data suggest an association between infant mortality rates and several measures of ambient air pollution, including dustfall and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The effects of airborne PAH components on fetal growth and early childhood development are of primary interest since we have previously demonstrated that these pollutants were associated with significant decrements in birthweight, length and head circumference in Polish newborn babies. The undertaken research combines a state-of-the-art environmental monitoring and molecular approaches with comprehensive neurodevelopment assessments. A further innovation is the incorporation of biomarkers (lead and antioxidants in cord blood) to control for potential confounding of exposure-effect. The mean overall concentrations of specific PAH compounds in Kraków were highest for benzo(b)fluoranthene (23 ng/m3), benzo(a)anthracene (16 ng/m3), indeno(l,2,3-cd)pyrene (14 ng/m3), chyresene (13 ng/m3) and benzo(a)pyrene (12 ng/m3). In general, concentrations of the PAH compounds measured by personal monitoring were considerably higher among the residents of the higher polluted area of the city. The comparison between the Kraków and New York City monitoring ambient data demonstrates that the concentrations and proportions of specific compounds in the total PAH mixture differ widely across these cities. Thus, one may expect that the PAH-related health risks would differ between the two areas not only because exposures are different, but also because the PAH profile differs. Presumably, this different profile is a consequence, at least in part, of variations in the sources of fossil and solid fuels used in production of energy. In Poland, solid fuels such as coal is used to a much greater extent than in New York City, where fossil fuels are the universal source of energy production. Auto emissions for example, are low in benzo(a)pyrene, whereas such emissions from refuse burning are high.

[Intake of pharmacologic supplements of vitamins and minerals during pregnancy. Survey conducted in Krakow]. / Farmakologiczna suplementacja witaminami i skladnikami mineralnymi w okresie ciqay. Badania epidemiologiczne w Krakowie.

The aim of this study was to describe pharmacological supplements during pregnancy in the sample of 406 nonsmoking women, residents of Krakow. Multivitamins' supplements were taken by 79.1%, folic acid by 41.4%, magnesium by 23.9% and iron only by 14.5% of the study group. Our results confirm that vitamin and mineral supplements, ferrum, folic acid and magnesium in particular, are inadequate in comparison to recommended intakes. Women with lower education (secondary school or lower) failed to supplement diet with multivitamins (OR = 5.74; 95% CI: 1.41-23.5) and folic acid (OR = 2.11; 95% CI: 1.22-3.66). Otherwise, health problems during the previous pregnancies and nulliparity have lowered pharmacological folic acid supplements (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.21-0.97 and OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99, respectively). Results of our study show that diet assessed for pregnancy period does not meet nutritional requirements. Pharmacological supplementary intake of vitamins and minerals is also insufficient. It is advisable to popularize education concerning necessity and usefulness of vitamin and microelement supplementation during medical examinations in the childbearing age.

[Protective effects of physical activity in the occurrence of colon cancer]. / Rola aktywnosci fizycznej w zapobieganiu zachorowaniom na raka jelita grubego.

The purpose of the study was to assess the role of occupational and leisure physical activity on the risk pattern of colon cancer considering the possible confounding effects of dietary habits. Case-control study has been carried out in 180 incident cases of colon cancer hospitalized in Chair of Surgery CMUJ in Kraków. The equal number of controls individually matched by gender and age were chosen amongst patients with no history of cancer from the university hospital. Food frequency questionnaire combined with quantity of foods eaten was used to assess the usual dietary patterns for 148 food items. The occupational physical activity of the interviewed subjects before the occurrence of the disease was assessed by self-rating. Leisure time activity was measured by the number of hours watching TV. The adjusted risk of colon cancer was reduced by half in those being active in leisure time (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.98). The effect of occupational physical activity had the same order of magnitude in terms of risk reduction (OR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.28-1.10). The protective effect of healthy nutrition appeared to be independent from that attributed to physical effort.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer at low levels of micronutrient intake.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between simultaneous exposure to alcohol and consumption of micronutrients that may have protective properties against colorectal cancer. MATERIAL/METHODS: This hospital-based case-control study of colorectal cancer was carried out between January 1998 and November 1999 in Cracow, Poland. A total of 180 cases of colorectal cancer confirmed by histopathology were recruited from the University Hospital in Cracow. An equal number of controls, individually matched by gender and age (+/- 5 years) were chosen from among patients from the same hospital with no history of cancer. An interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire covering 148 food items, including the quantity consumed, was used to assess the typical dietary pattern. RESULTS: When the analysis was carried out on quartile intake data, a consistent inverse association was confirmed between the intake of retinol, thiamine or antioxidant micronutrients (carotene, vitamin C and E) and the occurrence of colorectal cancer. Alcohol intake appeared to be an important risk factor for this cancer site, and the risk increased with the amount of pure alcohol intake. The group with deficient intake of retinol, carotene, and vitamins C and E, but with higher consumption of alcohol, incur a noticeably high risk of colorectal cancer (OR=6.79; 95%CI: 2.08-22.18). CONCLUSIONS: The data support the hypothesis that higher consumption of alcohol, when combined with low micronutrient intake, may considerably increase the risk of colorectal cancer.