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. 2021 Feb 2;30(2):245–252. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8855

Table 1.

Examples of Environmental Stressors Linked to Maternal Health Outcomes and Potential Moderating Factorsa

Environmental stressors Maternal outcomes
Air pollution Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy3,4
Polycystic ovarian syndrome5
Subfertility6–9
Miscarriage10,11
ART failure12–17
Metals Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy18,19
Uterine fibroids20–23
Subfertility24–26
Miscarriage27,28
Cardiometabolic health29
PFASa Breast development and lactation30–32
Breast cancer33,34
Cardiometabolic health35
Persistent pesticides (DDT and DDE) Lactation impairment36
Breast cancer risk in mother and female offspring37
Persistent pollutants (dioxin/PCBs) Breast cancer risk in mother by 50 years of age38
Mammary development and lactation39
EDCs (e.g., phthalates, phenols) Uterine fibroids40–42
Thyroid function, glucose metabolism and obesity, fertility, and carcinogenesis43
Potential moderators
Race/ethnicity Cardiometabolic health44
Uterine fibroids45
a

Most exposures were associated with more adverse outcomes, but the strength and direction of effect varies. See cited references for details.

ART, assisted reproductive technology; DDE, dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene; DDT, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; EDC, endocrine-disrupting chemical; PCB, polychlorinated biphenyl; PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substance.