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Prenatal exposure to lead in Spain: cord blood levels and associated factors
Sabrina Llop1, Xabier Aguinagalde, Jesus Vioque
1Centre of Public Health Research, Av Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain. llop_sab@gva.es
Insights
Prenatal lead exposure in Spanish newborns is generally low. Maternal smoking and certain sociodemographic factors are associated with higher lead levels, while iron and zinc intake may offer protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Reproductive Epidemiology
Background:
- Lead is a potent neurotoxin, posing significant risks to vulnerable fetuses and infants due to incomplete blood-brain barrier development.
- Monitoring prenatal and early infancy blood lead levels is crucial for public health interventions.
- This study investigates prenatal lead exposure within the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (Environment and Childhood) project in Spain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate prenatal lead exposure in Spanish mother-child cohorts.
- To identify maternal factors associated with prenatal lead exposure.
- To assess the protective role of dietary factors like iron and zinc.
Main Methods:
- 1462 pregnant women were recruited between 2004-2008.
- Cord blood lead levels were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.
- Maternal sociodemographic, lifestyle, and dietary data were collected via questionnaires; multivariate logistic regression was employed.
Main Results:
- A low percentage (5.9%) of cord blood samples showed lead levels ≥ 2μg/dL, with a geometric mean of 1.06μg/dL.
- Maternal smoking, age, social class, pregnancy weight gain, gravidity, and residence were linked to detectable cord blood lead.
- Maternal diet was not a primary factor, but iron and zinc intake showed potential protective effects.
Conclusions:
- Newborns in the studied Spanish regions exhibit low lead exposure levels.
- Lead mobilization from maternal bones is suggested as a significant contributor to cord blood lead.
- Public health strategies should consider maternal lifestyle and nutritional status.
Introduction And Objective:
Lead is a known neurotoxic. Fetuses and infants are very vulnerable to lead exposure, since their blood-brain barrier is not completely formed. Hence, there is an importance for monitoring of blood lead levels prenatally and during early infancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prenatal exposure to lead and its association with maternal factors in four population based mother-child cohorts in Spain. The present research was carried out within the framework of the INMA project INfancia y Medio Ambiente (Environment and Childhood).
Methods:
A total of 1462 pregnant women were recruited between 2004 and 2008. Lead was analyzed in a sample of cord blood by thermal decomposition, amalgation, and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Maternal sociodemographic, lifestyle and dietary factors were obtained by questionnaires during pregnancy. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed. The dependent variable was a dichotomous lead level variable (detected vs no detected, i.e. ≥ vs < 2μg/dL).
Results:
A low percentage of cord blood samples with lead levels ≥ 2μg/dL were found (5.9%). Geometric mean and maximum were 1.06μg/dL and 19μg/dL, respectively. Smoking at the beginning of pregnancy, age, social class, weight gain during pregnancy, gravidity, and place of residence were the maternal factors associated with detectable cord blood lead levels. Mother's diet does not appear to be a determining factor of lead exposure. Nevertheless, daily intake of iron and zinc may act as a protective factor against having cord blood lead levels ≥ 2μg/dL.
Conclusion:
In the different regions of Spain taking part in this study, lead levels to which newborns are exposed are low. Mobilization of lead from bones may be the main contributor to the cord blood levels.
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