Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation
Published on: June 17, 2015
Changes in premature infant mercury and lead blood levels after blood transfusions
Mohamad T Elabiad1, Michael Christensen2
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
Insights
Premature infants receiving packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions showed stable mercury and lead blood levels in the first week. Concerns remain about potential heavy metal retention and toxicity due to limited excretion.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Premature infants often require blood transfusions, raising concerns about potential exposure to contaminants.
- Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions may contain trace amounts of heavy metals like mercury and lead.
- Assessing heavy metal levels in vulnerable infants is crucial for understanding transfusion safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify blood levels of mercury and lead in premature infants following PRBC transfusions.
- To evaluate the changes in heavy metal blood and urine concentrations during the first week of life.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were analyzed for mercury and lead on days 1, 4, 5, and 7 post-transfusion.
- Urine samples were collected on days 1, 4, and 7 to assess heavy metal excretion.
- Infants with a birth weight of ≤ 750 g were included in the study.
Main Results:
- Heavy metals were detected in all PRBC transfusions administered.
- Infant blood mercury levels ranged from 1.33 µg/L on day 1 to 1.66 µg/L on day 7.
- Infant blood lead levels ranged from 0.32 µg/dL on day 1 to 0.56 µg/dL on day 7.
- Urinary mercury excretion correlated with lack of bowel movements, while lead excretion decreased as blood levels rose.
Conclusions:
- Blood levels of mercury and lead remained relatively stable in infants during the first week after PRBC transfusions.
- The limited increase in urinary excretion suggests potential retention of these heavy metals.
- Further investigation is warranted to assess the long-term toxic effects of retained heavy metals in this population.
Objective:
To describe the blood level changes of mercury and lead after packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions in ≤ 750 g birth weight infants.
Study Design:
Heavy metal blood levels were measured in infants in PRBC units on 1st, 4th, 5th, and 7th days (D1, D4, D5, and D7) of life and in urine on D1, D4, and D7.
Results:
A total of 10 infants were enrolled with a mean birth weight of 632 ± 72 g. Out of which nine infants received one or more PRBC transfusions, with an average of 2.9 ± 2.5 transfusions per infant. Heavy metals were detected in all the transfusions. The average mercury level was 1.33 µg/L on D1 and 1.66 µg/L on D7, p > 0.05. The average lead level was 0.32 µg/dL on D1 and 0.56 µg/dL on D7, p > 0.05. Urinary mercury excretion increased in infants with no bowel movements. Urinary excretion of lead decreased over time as blood levels increased.
Conclusions:
After receiving blood transfusions, the blood levels of mercury and lead were maintained at the end of the 1st week of life. As there is no evidence of a proportionate increase in excretory amounts of these heavy metals, there is a concern that they are retained and potentially exert toxic effects.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Rh Blood Group
02:45Blood Transfusion and Agglutination
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
01:24Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism