Antenatal exposure to UV-B radiation and pre-eclampsia: a retrospective cohort study

Hastie, C. E. , Mackay, D. F. , Clemens, T. L., Cherrie, M. P.C., Megaw, L. J., Smith, G. C.S., Stock, S. J., Dibben, C. and Pell, J. P. (2021) Antenatal exposure to UV-B radiation and pre-eclampsia: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of the American Heart Association, 10(13), e020246. (doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.020246) (PMID:34155917)

Abstract

Background Risk of preeclampsia varies by month of delivery. We tested whether this seasonal patterning may be mediated through maternal vitamin D concentration using antenatal exposure to UV‐B radiation as an instrumental variable. Methods and Results Scottish maternity records were linked to antenatal UV‐B exposure derived from satellites between 2000 and 2010. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between UV‐B and preeclampsia, adjusting for the potential confounding effects of month of conception, child's sex, gestation, parity, and mean monthly temperature. Of the 522 896 eligible singleton deliveries, 8689 (1.66%) mothers developed preeclampsia. Total antenatal UV‐B exposure ranged from 43.18 to 101.11 kJ/m2 and was associated with reduced risk of preeclampsia with evidence of a dose‐response relationship (highest quintile of exposure: adjusted odds ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.44–0.72; P<0.001). Associations were demonstrated for UV‐B exposure in all 3 trimesters. Conclusions The seasonal patterning of preeclampsia may be mediated through low maternal vitamin D concentration in winter resulting from low UV‐B radiation. Interventional studies are required to determine whether vitamin D supplements or UV‐B–emitting light boxes can reduce the seasonal patterning of preeclampsia.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Sources of Funding: This work was supported by Health Data Research UK (Edin-1 to Hastie). Provision of the UV data was funded by a joint Natural Environment Research Council, Medical Research Council, and Chief Scientist Office project grant (NE/P010911/1); Tommy’s Charity; and Health Data Research UK funding (Edin-1). Dr Stock is funded by Wellcome Trust Clinical Career Development Fellowship (209560/Z/17/Z)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hastie, Dr Claire and Mackay, Professor Daniel and Pell, Professor Jill
• Authors: Hastie, C. E., Mackay, D. F., Clemens, T. L., Cherrie, M. P.C., Megaw, L. J., Smith, G. C.S., Stock, S. J., Dibben, C., and Pell, J. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
• Journal Name: Journal of the American Heart Association
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 2047-9980
• ISSN (Online): 2047-9980
• Published Online: 22 June 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of the American Heart Association 10(13):e020246
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence