A preliminary multivariable analysis of factors associated with feto-maternal partitioning of persistent organic pollutants

Abstract

To investigate trans-placental transport (TPT) of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and its associated factors, a preliminary multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis was employed. The dependent variable of MLR model was the feto-maternal ratio (FM-ratio) of PCBs, PCDD/Fs, and PBDEs, and the independent variables included selected physicochemical properties of POPs and physiological characteristics of the participants, which were obtained from POP levels 20 congeners from 20 pairs of mother and fetus. The adjusted R2 of the model was 0.510, and the lipid content in the maternal and cord sera, gestational age and birth weight of the fetus, and molecular size and lipophilicity of the POPs were significantly associated with FM-ratio.