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Environmental Toxicant Burden, Maternal Oxidative Stress, and Neonatal Outcomes in Crude-Oil-Impacted Communities of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria
Subject area: Physical Sciences and Environment · Area of research: Environmental Toxicant Burden
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV8I11-1722732
Abstract
Background: An environmental problem associated with petroleum extraction and processing activities in the Niger delta is the generation of complex mixtures of heavy metal and petroleum-derived organic pollutants. During pregnancy, the developing placenta and the maternal physiology and growing fetus may be affected by environmental toxicants, especially during pregnancy. Evidence specific to Warri that integrates environmental measurements, maternal biomonitoring, oxidative-stress biomarkers and neonatal outcomes remains limited. Objective: Residing in crude-oil impacted communities would be correlated with increased environmental exposures to toxicants, changes in maternal oxidative/inflammatory status, and neonatal outcomes. Methods: The methods used was comparative cross-sectional design involving 350 pregnant women of gestation ≥14 weeks in the study community, Ijala-Ikenren, Ugborodo and Ifie-Kporo and 175 as the comparison community, Ughievwen. Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in topsoil and drinking water. Maternal blood level of Pb, Cd, total PAH and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated. Neonatal birth weight, gestational age, 5-minute Apgar score and congenital anomalies were evaluated. Data analysed were group differences, Pearson correlations and multivariable logistic regression. Results: The study found substantially higher Pb and Cd concentrations in exposed soil and water, including soil Pb of 68.40 ± 15.20 versus 24.70 ± 8.60 mg/kg and water Pb of 0.086 ± 0.021 versus 0.019 ± 0.008 mg/L (both p < .001). The total soil PAHs measured were 18.70 ± 5.40 mg/kg compared to 4.90 ± 1.80 mg/kg of carcinogenic PAHs, with a percentage of 72.0% versus 31.0%. In the same way, maternal blood levels of Pb, Cd and total PAHs were also higher in the exposed women. SOD and GSH were lower, while MDA and hs-CRP were higher in the exposed group of women than in the unexposed group. Exposed neonates were more likely to be low birth weight, preterm, or have a low 5-minute Apgar score or to be born with congenital anomalies. The blood lead, cadmium and MDA were positive predictors and the blood SOD was inverse predictors of LBW in the reported adjusted model (aOR = 2.85, 95% CI [1.62, 5.02], p < .001 and aOR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.63, 0.95], p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusion: The results confirm a well-defined exposure–internal dose–oxidative stress–adverse birth outcome pattern.
Keywords
crude-oil spill, lead, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, oxidative stress, pregnancy, low birth weight, niger delta, warri, biomonitoring of the mother
References
[1] Umeoguaju, F.U., Akaninwor, J.O., Essien, E.B. et al. Heavy metal profile of surface and ground water samples from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environ Monit Assess 194, 46(2022). Crossref
[2] FIGO. (2025). FIGO committee opinion: Environmental drivers of obstetric health and early childhood development. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics.
[3] Gbadamosi, F., & Aldstadt, J. (2025). The interplay of oil exploitation, environmental degradation and health in the Niger Delta: A scoping review. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 30(5), 351–367. Crossref
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[5] Oghenetega, O. B., Okunlola, M. A., Ana, G. R. E. E., Morhason-Bello, O., & Ojengbede, O. A. (2022). Exposure to oil pollution and maternal outcomes: The Niger Delta prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0263495. Crossref
[6] Onyena, A. P., Folorunso, O. M., Nwanganga, N., Udom, G. J., Ekhator, O. C., Frazzoli, C., Ruggieri, F., Bocca, B., & Orisakwe, O. E. (2024). Engaging One Health in heavy metal pollution in some selected Nigerian Niger Delta cities: A systematic review of pervasiveness, bioaccumulation and subduing environmental health challenges. Biological Trace Element Research, 202(4), 1356–1389. Crossref
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How to cite this paper
@article{1722732,
author = {Edward Bayo Adebowale},
title = {Environmental Toxicant Burden, Maternal Oxidative Stress, and Neonatal Outcomes in Crude-Oil-Impacted Communities of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {8},
number = {11},
pages = {2700-2710},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1722732.pdf},
abstract = {Background: An environmental problem associated with petroleum extraction and processing activities in the Niger delta is the generation of complex mixtures of heavy metal and petroleum-derived organic pollutants. During pregnancy, the developing placenta and the maternal physiology and growing fetus may be affected by environmental toxicants, especially during pregnancy. Evidence specific to Warri that integrates environmental measurements, maternal biomonitoring, oxidative-stress biomarkers and neonatal outcomes remains limited.
Objective: Residing in crude-oil impacted communities would be correlated with increased environmental exposures to toxicants, changes in maternal oxidative/inflammatory status, and neonatal outcomes.
Methods: The methods used was comparative cross-sectional design involving 350 pregnant women of gestation ≥14 weeks in the study community, Ijala-Ikenren, Ugborodo and Ifie-Kporo and 175 as the comparison community, Ughievwen. Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in topsoil and drinking water. Maternal blood level of Pb, Cd, total PAH and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated. Neonatal birth weight, gestational age, 5-minute Apgar score and congenital anomalies were evaluated. Data analysed were group differences, Pearson correlations and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: The study found substantially higher Pb and Cd concentrations in exposed soil and water, including soil Pb of 68.40 ± 15.20 versus 24.70 ± 8.60 mg/kg and water Pb of 0.086 ± 0.021 versus 0.019 ± 0.008 mg/L (both p < .001). The total soil PAHs measured were 18.70 ± 5.40 mg/kg compared to 4.90 ± 1.80 mg/kg of carcinogenic PAHs, with a percentage of 72.0% versus 31.0%. In the same way, maternal blood levels of Pb, Cd and total PAHs were also higher in the exposed women. SOD and GSH were lower, while MDA and hs-CRP were higher in the exposed group of women than in the unexposed group. Exposed neonates were more likely to be low birth weight, preterm, or have a low 5-minute Apgar score or to be born with congenital anomalies. The blood lead, cadmium and MDA were positive predictors and the blood SOD was inverse predictors of LBW in the reported adjusted model (aOR = 2.85, 95% CI [1.62, 5.02], p < .001 and aOR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.63, 0.95], p = 0.02, respectively).
Conclusion: The results confirm a well-defined exposure–internal dose–oxidative stress–adverse birth outcome pattern.},
keywords = {crude-oil spill, lead, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, oxidative stress, pregnancy, low birth weight, niger delta, warri, biomonitoring of the mother},
month = {May},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV8I11-1722732}
}