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Selected Metal Concentration in Maternal and Cord Blood
Karolina Kot1, Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk1, Patrycja Kupnicka2
1Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|December 10, 2021
Summary
This study measured essential and non-essential elements in maternal and cord blood from healthy Polish women. Results establish normal ranges for these elements, with notable differences in iron and potassium levels between maternal and cord blood.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Human Physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Essential and non-essential element deficiencies can cause birth complications.
- Understanding elemental concentrations in maternal and cord blood is crucial for assessing fetal development and maternal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), lead (Pb), strontium (Sr), and zinc (Zn) in maternal and cord blood.
- To establish normal reference values for these elements in a healthy Polish population.
- To investigate the relationship between elemental concentrations and newborn anthropometric parameters.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of whole blood and cord blood samples from 136 pregnant women using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
- Spectrophotometric atomic absorption was employed for elemental concentration determination.
Main Results:
- Calcium (Ca), lead (Pb), and strontium (Sr) levels were comparable between maternal and cord blood.
- Iron (Fe) and potassium (K) concentrations were higher in cord blood than in maternal blood.
- Copper (Cu), sodium (Na), and zinc (Zn) levels were lower in cord blood, indicating limited transplacental transfer. Copper in cord blood showed the most associations with newborn anthropometric parameters.
Conclusions:
- The study provides reference values for essential and non-essential elements in maternal and cord blood for healthy pregnant women in Poland.
- Observed differences in elemental concentrations highlight varying transfer dynamics across the placenta.
- Copper levels in cord blood may influence newborn anthropometry.
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