Maternal lead exposure and premature rupture of membranes: a birth cohort study in China

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 7, 2026

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
08:50

A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

4.3K

Sha Huang1, Wei Xia1, Xia Sheng1

  • 1Key Laboratory of Environment and Health (HUST), Ministry of Education & Ministry of Environmental Protection, and State Key Laboratory of Environmental Health (Incubation), School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

BMJ Open
|July 25, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Maternal lead (Pb) exposure is linked to a higher risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM). This study highlights Pb as a potential risk factor for PROM during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Obstetrics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Maternal exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead (Pb), is a growing concern in public health.
  • While Pb exposure is linked to various adverse birth outcomes, its specific association with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between maternal lead (Pb) exposure and the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM).
  • To examine the relationship between maternal Pb exposure and preterm PROM.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted with 7290 pregnant women in Wuhan, China (2012-2014).
  • Maternal urinary Pb levels were measured and adjusted for creatinine concentration.
  • Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between Pb levels and PROM, with PROM defined by vaginal fluid pH ≥6.5.

Main Results:

  • Elevated maternal urinary Pb levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of PROM (adjusted OR 1.51 for highest tertile).
  • A higher risk of preterm PROM was observed with increasing Pb levels (adjusted OR 1.73 for highest tertile).
  • The association between Pb exposure and PROM was more pronounced in primiparous women.

Conclusions:

  • Higher maternal lead (Pb) exposure is associated with an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM).
  • Lead exposure during pregnancy may represent a significant risk factor for PROM, necessitating public health interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
birth cohortlead exposurematernal urinepremature rupture of membranes

More Related Videos

Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis08:55

Characterization of MLKL-mediated Plasma Membrane Rupture in Necroptosis

Published on: August 7, 2018

11.3K
A Photodynamic Approach to Study Function of Intracellular Vesicle Rupture05:16

A Photodynamic Approach to Study Function of Intracellular Vesicle Rupture

Published on: March 17, 2023

1.5K

Related Concept Videos

Birth Control Methods01:22

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although...
6.8K
Phase-lead and Phase-lag Controllers01:22

Phase-lead and Phase-lag Controllers

Understanding the working function of different types of controllers can be illustrated with practical analogies, such as adjusting a stereo's volume equalizer. Cranking up the bass involves a phase-lead controller, which functions as a high-pass filter, while increasing the treble uses a phase-lag controller, which acts as a low-pass filter. PD controllers, similar to high-pass filters, enhance the system's response to high-frequency components. PI controllers, akin to low-pass...
574
Time and frequency -Domain Interpretation of Phase-lead Control01:24

Time and frequency -Domain Interpretation of Phase-lead Control

Phase-lead controllers are commonly used in various control systems to enhance response speed and stability. Adjusting the brightness on a television screen offers a practical example of phase-lead control. When contrast is enhanced, a phase-lead controller is employed. Mathematically, phase-lead control is identified when the first parameter is smaller than the second.
The design of phase-lead control involves the strategic placement of poles and zeros to balance steady-state error and system...
477
Introduction to Membrane Proteins01:16

Introduction to Membrane Proteins

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane, is an ever-changing landscape. It is described as a fluid mosaic where various macromolecules are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Among the macromolecules are proteins. The protein content varies across cell types. For example, mitochondrial inner membranes contain ~76% protein content, while myelin contains ~18% protein content. Individual cells contain many types of membrane proteins—red blood cells contain over 50—and different cell...
81.3K
What are Membranes?01:54

What are Membranes?

A key characteristic of life is the ability to separate the external environment from the internal space. To do this, cells have evolved semi-permeable membranes that regulate the passage of biological molecules. Additionally, the cell membrane defines a cell’s shape and interactions with the external environment. Eukaryotic cell membranes also serve to compartmentalize the internal space into organelles, including the endomembrane structures of the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and...
191.7K
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries...
19.1K