Determination of low concentrations of potentially toxic elements in human liver from newborns and infants

One hundred and fifty-seven liver samples from newborns and infants who had died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other known causes have been analysed by ICP-MS for Ag, Cd, Co, Pb and Sb. The median concentrations found were: 15.4 (Ag), 2.9 (Cd), 15.9 (Co), 65.2 (Pb) and 1.8 (Sb) ng g-1 wet mass. There was no measurable difference in the concentrations of any of these elements between the SIDS and non-SIDS groups. The validity of the results was assessed by analysis of appropriate reference materials, interlaboratory comparison and isotope dilution analysis. The instrumental limits of detection were 0.25 (Ag), 0.14 (Cd), 0.21 (Co), 3.8 (Pb) and 0.38 (Sb) ng g-1 wet mass. The limits of detection of the method depend on the reagent blank and the extent of background contamination.