# Effects of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes and fetal development

> **NIH NIH K01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $107,540

## Abstract

Effects of PFBS exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes and fetal development.
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) is a new chemical widely used in industrial and household products and its
persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic properties has been reported. The scientific aims of this proposal are
based on the toxicity of PFBS and our preliminary findings that exposure to PFBS can lead to pregnancy-
induced hypertension (PIH) and altered maternal and fetal thyroid hormone levels in a Shanghai Birth Cohort
(SBC) led by my primary mentor, Dr. Jun Jim Zhang. The prevalence of PIH (~10%) is high in China and PIH-
related complications are still threatening maternal and fetal life and health worldwide due to the lack of
efficient therapeutic methods. Epidemiology studies have pointed to a thyroid-related disease outbreak in
China, especially women are at higher risk of developing hypothyroidism (~17%). Proper thyroid hormone
levels are critical for fetal growth and maintaining pregnancy. Environmental exposures including PFBS can
contribute to these adverse outcomes. Therefore, the major aim of this proposal is to investigate the effect of
maternal exposure to PFBS on the risk of PIH and maternal and cord blood levels of thyroid hormones in
Shanghai. We also propose to investigate the underline mechanisms of these findings. A key innovation is that
we will answer critical and novel epidemiological and biological research questions. The molecular biology
assays for studying mechanisms are innovative, especially the genome-wide chromatin accessibility which is a
novel and the most advanced approach to study epigenetics. Successful completion of these aims builds on
my expertise (strong molecular biology training and research experiences in maternal fetal medicine) and
extends it to exposure assessment and reproductive and perinatal epidemiology in a global research setting
that requires additional training and mentorship. I will attain the necessary expertise by working with experts in
the relevant fields, through formal course work, structured mentored training and laboratory work. This project
will take advantage of the available infrastructure in Shanghai through the highly respected LMIC research
institution that will enable me to establish a pregnancy cohort of 6,500-10,000 women and follow the newborns
up to two years at a cost effective efficient manner. This grant, beyond providing the necessary training to me
to be established as an independent international researcher, will address important gaps in evidence on the
effects of PFBS exposure on maternal and child health, and will provide a resource for future studies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10141329
- **Project number:** 5K01TW010828-05
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Liping Feng
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $107,540
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-25 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10141329

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10141329, Effects of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) exposure on adverse pregnancy outcomes and fetal development (5K01TW010828-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10141329. Licensed CC0.

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