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[Time to pregnancy and lead exposure]
Juan Luis Guerra-Tamayo1, Leticia Hernández-Cadena, Martha María Téllez-Rojo
1Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Avenida Universidad 655, colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Morelos, México.
Salud Publica De Mexico
|January 31, 2004
Summary
High lead exposure significantly increases the time to pregnancy for women. Women with blood lead levels over 10.0 micrograms/dl were five times less likely to conceive within a year.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Reproductive Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Lead exposure is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding lead's impact on female fertility is crucial for reproductive health.
- Previous research indicates potential adverse effects of lead on reproductive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between lead exposure and time to pregnancy.
- To quantify the risk of delayed conception related to lead body burden.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 142 women in Mexico City (1997-2001) was studied.
- Lead levels were measured in bone (patella, tibia) and blood.
- Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze time to pregnancy data.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in time to pregnancy was observed for blood lead levels below 10.0 micrograms/dl in the first year.
- Women with blood lead levels exceeding 10.0 micrograms/dl had a fivefold higher likelihood of not achieving pregnancy after one year.
- Mean blood lead levels were 9.3 micrograms/dl, with bone lead levels also quantified.
Conclusions:
- Elevated lead concentrations are a potential risk factor for prolonged time to pregnancy.
- This risk is particularly pronounced for women attempting conception for over a year.
- Public health interventions targeting lead reduction may improve female fertility outcomes.