Abstract

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive and toxic element. An increased prevalence of birth defects was allegedly reported in Iraq in the post 1991 Gulf War period, which was largely attributed to exposure to depleted Uranium used in the war. This study is done to determine the concentrations of Uranium radioactivity in maternal blood and umbilical cord blood samples after delivery in hospitals in governorates of Baghdad, Dhi-Qar and Basrah in Iraq. A number of 100 pregnant women were involved; consist of 53 women delivered with normal and alive infants and another 47 women delivered with abnormal and dead deformed infants. The CR-39 detector is used to determine the Uranium concentrations found in the blood samples of maternal blood and umbilical cord blood. Results show that mean Uranium concentration for maternal and umbilical cord blood samples of deformed and dead infants is nearly double than the value of normal and alive infants. The older pregnant women were found to have greater Uranium concentration compared to younger pregnant women. Among the selected 3 governorates, pregnant women in Basrah shows the highest Uranium concentration on maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. High Uranium concentrations found in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples have caused the increased rate of mortality on infant and children in Iraq. Thus, precautions and awareness should be taken up seriously in order to improve the health condition and well being of the maternal and children, and thus for future generations in Iraq.

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