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Updated: May 3, 2026

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Low level prenatal blood lead adversely affects early childhood mental development
Mohsen Vigeh1, Kazuhito Yokoyama2, Takehisa Matsukawa2
1Department of Hazard Assessment, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kanagawa, Japan Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan vigeh@h.jniosh.go.jp.
Abstract:
The effect of prenatal lead exposure on child development has been a topic of public health concern for decades. To estimate prenatal lead exposure effects on early childhood development, maternal blood (n = 364) and umbilical cord blood (n = 224) samples were collected during pregnancy and at delivery. Mental development was assessed using the Harold Ireton Early Child Development Inventory from 174 children. Maternal whole blood lead levels in the first trimester were significantly higher in children with developmental scores <20% than in those with normal scores (mean ± standard deviation: 6.3 ± 1.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.4 µg/dL, respectively, P = .01). Maternal blood lead levels in the first trimester were also inversely associated with the development scores (r = -0.155, P = .041). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship between increasing maternal blood lead levels in the first trimester with low development scores (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval = 1.18-2.57, P = .005). The findings of the present study showed a relatively low level of prenatal lead exposure (mean < 6.5 µg/dL) associated with lower developmental scores in early childhood.
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