Relation of Heavy Metals in Cord and Maternal Blood to Neonatal Anthropometric Indices

Abstract

Introduction: Heavy metals are environmental pollutants and can cross the placental barriers and affect fetal health and growth. Aim: To estimate serum Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As) in pregnant mothers and their newborns and to assess the association between the levels and newborns anthropometric indices. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 mothers, aged 18 to 40 years and their healthy newborns. Inductively Couples Plasma Mass Spectrometry was used to assess levels of Cd, Hg, Pb and As, in maternal and cord blood serum samples. Correlation analysis was used to elucidate the association of these heavy metals with infant anthropometric parameters. Results: There was a significant, negative association between neonatal serum levels of As and Cd, and the neonatal birth weight (r=-0.336, -0.386; p=0.043, 0.024, respectively). Maternal serum levels of As and Cd also had a significant, negative correlation with the neonatal birth weight (r=-0.382, -0. 372; p=0.041, 0.019, respectively). Significant negative association was found between the gestational age and maternal serum As and Pb (r=-0.368, -0. 316; p=0.042, 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: The current study provides a clinical evidence that the increased maternal exposure to Cd and As has a great burden on fetal growth, as the finding of the present research indicate an inverse correlation between Cd and As exposure and birth weight of newborns. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring populations at risk, and to enhance awareness about the hazards of heavy metals and potential sources of exposure.

Keywords

• arsenic
• cadmium
• lead
• mercury