of Work: In the newly independent country of Ukraine, environmental pollution is severe; the contamination is due not only to the Chernobyl accident, but to intensive agricultural practices and outmoded industrial technology. The purpose of this study is to describe the burden of toxicants in placentas and milk of women who deliver infants in such circumstances, and to document their reproductive outcome. To our knowledge, this is the first population-based description of pregnancy outcome in a former Soviet country. To accomplish these aims, we have collaborated with the Ukrainian """"""""ELSPAC"""""""" study, one of several European studies initiated by the World Health Organization. We have obtained placenta and milk samples from over 2,200 women who delivered in two study sites. A random sample of 200 of these have been analyzed for metals, halogenated hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Medical records have been abstracted, and questionnaire data on maternal lifestyle obtained. Data on pregnancy outcome have been obtained for the population from which the samples are drawn. We have finished the description of birth outcome in the population and are working on this topic in the sample itself. The fetal death rate in Ukrainian women is 5 times the US rate. A paper describing organochlorines in breast milk indicates higher than normal, but no extremely elevated values. We are now working on metals and PAH's in placenta.
| Little, R E; Gladen, Beth C; Birmingham, Karen et al. (2004) Preterm birth rates in Avon County, England, and urban Ukraine. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 113:154-9 |
| Gladen, Beth C; Shkiryak-Nyzhnyk, Zoreslava A; Chyslovska, Nataliya et al. (2003) Persistent organochlorine compounds and birth weight. Ann Epidemiol 13:151-7 |
| Little, Ruth E; Zadorozhnaja, Tamara D; Hulchiy, Olesya P et al. (2003) Placental weight and its ratio to birthweight in a Ukrainian city. Early Hum Dev 71:117-27 |
| Little, Ruth E; Northstone, Kate; Golding, Jean et al. (2002) Alcohol, breastfeeding, and development at 18 months. Pediatrics 109:E72-2 |
| Sasco, Annie J; Laforest, Laurent; Benhaim-Luzon, Veronique et al. (2002) Smoking and its correlates among preadolescent children in France. Prev Med 34:226-34 |
| Monaghan, S C; Little, R E; Hulchiy, O et al. (2001) Risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth in two urban areas of Ukraine. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 15:123-30 |
| Little, R E; Little, A S; Chislovska, N et al. (2001) Hospital admissions during pregnancy in two urban areas of Ukraine. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 15:323-7 |
| Zadorozhnaja, T D; Little, R E; Miller, R K et al. (2000) Concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc in human placentas from two cities in Ukraine. J Toxicol Environ Health A 61:255-63 |
| Monaghan, S C; Little, R E; Hulchiy, O et al. (2000) Preterm birth in two urban areas of Ukraine. Obstet Gynecol 95:752-5 |
| Gladen, B C; Zadorozhnaja, T D; Chislovska, N et al. (2000) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in placenta. Hum Exp Toxicol 19:597-603 |
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