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Postnatal growth following prenatal lead exposure and calcium intake

Yun-Chul Hong1, Surabhi Shah Kulkarni2, Youn-Hee Lim3

  • 1Institute of Environmental Medicine, Medical Research Center.

Pediatrics
|November 26, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Maternal lead exposure during pregnancy, even at low levels, can negatively impact child growth. Adequate dietary calcium intake may offer protection against these lead-induced growth deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Growth
  • Maternal Health

Background:

  • Maternal exposure to low-level lead during pregnancy and its impact on postnatal growth is not well understood.
  • Limited data exists on calcium's protective role against lead's effects on fetal and postnatal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between prenatal lead exposure and child growth at birth and up to 24 months postpartum.
  • To evaluate the role of maternal dietary calcium intake in mitigating lead's effects on growth.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective birth cohort study of 1150 mothers and their offspring (Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study).
  • Multivariable regression analysis used to assess prenatal maternal blood lead levels and growth outcomes.
  • Blood lead levels measured in early and late pregnancy; dietary calcium intake assessed.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal lead exposure, especially in late pregnancy, was linked to reduced infant growth at 24 months.
  • Adequate or high dietary calcium intake during pregnancy was associated with non-significant effects of lead on growth.
  • Low calcium intake intensified the adverse impact of prenatal lead exposure on children's growth.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal lead exposure below 5.0 μg/dL adversely affects postnatal growth.
  • Low maternal calcium intake exacerbates the negative effects of lead on child development.
  • Stricter lead control and sufficient calcium intake are crucial for child health.
Abstract

Keywords:
growthlead exposurepostnatalprenatal

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