Association between arsenic exposure from drinking water and anemia during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: Arsenic is associated with numerous health effects. We investigated the association between arsenic exposure from drinking water and anemia during pregnancy.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort pregnancy study in two Chilean cities with contrasting drinking water arsenic levels: 40 microg/L versus <1 microg/L. This analysis included 810 women who gave birth to live, singleton infants and had at least one hemoglobin determination during pregnancy.

RESULTS: Arsenic exposed women were more likely to be anemic during pregnancy after adjusting for other factors. Furthermore, as pregnancy progressed, the prevalence of anemia rose more sharply among those in the exposed versus unexposed city: 49% versus 17%.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests an association between moderate arsenic in drinking water and anemia during pregnancy. Further research is needed to identify the specific types of anemia underlying the association.