Assessment of lead and mercury levels in maternal blood, fetal cord blood and placenta in pregnancy with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract

Introduction: Many studies reported that prenatal exposure to lead and mercury are correlated with reduced birth weight and size, and these metals can cause adverse effects on neurodevelopment. In this study, it was aimed to investigate and compare the lead and mercury levels in maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta in pregnant women with IUGR fetuses diagnosed using abnormal Doppler findings and pregnant women with healthy fetuses.
 Material: This study included 75 patients, comprising 41 in IUGR group and 34 in control group. Maternal venous blood, fetal cord blood and placental samples were taken during delivery period.
 Results: Mercury levels in maternal blood and fetal cord blood, and lead levels in the placenta were found to be significantly higher in the IUGR group than in healthy subjects. Correlation analysis revealed that measurement values of body weight, body height, and head circumference of fetus might be lower when mercury level was measured higher in maternal blood and fetal cord blood. Furthermore, fetal body weight and fetal body height also would be lower when lead level measured in placenta was higher. Logistic Regression analysis results revealed that mercury levels measured in fetal cord blood could be used as the best marker in predicting low fetal weight, low fetal body height, and low fetal head circumference.
 Conclusion: In conclusion, it was thought with this study results that in order to identify the etiology and to give therapeutic prenatal care of the IUGR in a fetus diagnosed as idiopathic IUGR it would be appropriate to measure the level of lead and especially mercury in the fetal cord blood during the prenatal follow-up period.