Jebunnesa, F; Banu, B; Ali, L
Background and aims: Much evidence suggest that populations exposed to high level of arsenic in water, increases the risk of diabetes, but little is known about exposers during pregnancy and to Gestational Diabetes (GD) and poor pregnancy outcome, such as Low Apger Score (LAS). The study was undertaken to investigate the arsenic level of daily water usage associated with GD and low apger score babies.
Materials and methods: The study was observational case-control design. Total of 263 pregnant women (age, M±SD, 21±3.7 and BMI, 25.1±4.1 kg/m2were matched) were included in this study. All women were 28-38 wk of gestation. Clinical and anthropometric parameters were measured by standard techniques. Serum glucose level by glucose oxidase method. Arsenic
level measured by Standard Methods. Arsenic exposer assessed by daily using (drinking, cooking, washing and bathing) water of each household. Statistical analysis was performed mean±SD and median(range), univariate and multivariate was also analyzed where as appropriate.
Results: Arsenic concentration was significantly higher in GD subjects [μg/l, median (range), 62(22-306)] compared to non-GD subjects [μg/l, 3.6(1-99)]. Significantly higher level of 2 hr 75g glucose (mg/dl, 12,2±1.7) in GD as compare to non-GD subjects (6.3±0.6). The apger score is significantly lower in GD subjects (4.7±0.8) when the compared to non-GD subjects (6.4±0.7)
(p<0.001). The Pearson’ correlation showed daily arsenic contamination is a significantly positive correlation with Glucose level (r=0.638, p=0.034) and lower apger score (r=0.892, p=0.041). Linear regression also showed arsenic concentration was strongly associated with higher glucose level and lower apger score in GD subjects (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The above findings imply that Arsenic contamination may play a role in glucose intolerance and may associated with an increased risk of GD; it may be contributed to lower apger score in babies. Supported by: BADAS