Exposure to atrazine by drinking water and the increased risk of neonatal complications in consequence: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

This meta-analysis evaluates the association between atrazine (ATR) exposure and small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth (PTB), and low birth weight (LBW). A comprehensive search was done on academic databases (e.g. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar) to achieve all pertinent studies up to May 2023. A pooled odd ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to evaluate this correlation. As a result, five eligible studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in our study, and the result of the present meta-analysis showed that ATR exposure increased the risk of SGA (OR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.03–1.20 for highest versus lowest category of ATR), PTB (OR = 1.16; 95% CI = 1.03–1.30), and LBW (OR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.10–1.44). This meta-analysis suggests that ATR in drinking water may be a risk factor for SGA, PTB, and LBW.

KEYWORDS:

• Atrazine
• low birth weight
• preterm birth
• small for gestational age
• meta-analysis

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Author contributions

AHS and NRK designed the study, analysed the data related to the meta-analysis, assessed publication bias and graphical representation of previously analysed data; drafted the initial manuscript; reviewed and revised the final manuscript, hypothesised the study and critically reviewed the manuscript for scientific content, BGN, and NRP searched through databases for the articles, designed the structure of data collection and provided relevant data from the aforementioned articles; drafted the initial manuscript; and reviewed and revised the final manuscript. SM and NRP searched through databases for the articles and reviewed the manuscript. NRK was also involved in the analysis and critically reviewed the manuscript for scientific content.

Ethics approval

Since it is a meta-analysis, ethics approval was not sought.

Availability of data and materials

The dataset generated and/or analysed in the current study can be obtained from the corresponding authors on a reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript