# Project 2: Effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on gestational weight gain, breastfeeding, and early life growth

> **NIH NIH P20** · DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · 2022 · $165,764

## Abstract

PROJECT 2 ABSTRACT
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widely used synthetic chemicals present in nonstick coatings, food
packaging, and water repellant clothing.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS),
perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) are the four primary PFASs found in
human blood samples in United States.
There is accumulating evidence to suggest that PFAS exposures
during the sensitive windows of pregnancy and gestation may adversely affect hormones involved in
metabolism and adipogenesis. Specifically, exposure to PFASs during pregnancy/in utero may be related to
excessive pregnancy-related weight gain, reduced duration of breastfeeding following pregnancy, and
increased risk of overweight or obesity during childhood. These are important outcomes because e
xcessive
weight gain during pregnancy confers lifelong risk of morbidity for mothers and infants alike; a shortened
duration of breastfeeding reduces the associated health benefits for both mother and child, and
overweight/obesity during childhood increases long term risk of diabetes, hypertension, and other serious
health disorders for affected children. Thus,identifying modifiable risk factors for these conditions has become
a public health priority. By taking advantage of
data and existing biological samples from women and children
enrolled in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study, we will determine whether women with higher exposures to
PFAS during pregnancy/gestation have greater risks for: 1) excessive weight gain during pregnancy, 2) shorter
duration of breastfeeding or altered breast milk composition, and 3) offspring with greater childhood adiposity
through age 5. We will also explore whether pregnancy weight gain or duration of breastfeeding are mediators
of the association between prenatal PFAS exposures and adiposity at age 5. The United States
for PFOA and PFOS. levated levels
of these substances have been detected in drinking water supplies throughout the United States including in
Northern New England PFAS exposures are preventable. Our study will provide critical data to inform policy
reform and
Environmental
Protection Agency recently established drinking water health advisories E
.
identify possible opportunities to reduce or prevent PFAS exposure and thus improve the lifelong
health of women and children.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10336405
- **Project number:** 5P20GM104416-10
- **Recipient organization:** DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Megan E Romano
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $165,764
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-03-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10336405

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10336405, Project 2: Effects of perfluoroalkyl substances on gestational weight gain, breastfeeding, and early life growth (5P20GM104416-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10336405. Licensed CC0.

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