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A Study of Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women
Abbas Ali Mahdi1, Jamal Akhtar Ansari1,2, Priyanka Chaurasia3
1Department of Biochemistry, King George's Medical University, Uttar Pradesh Lucknow, 226003 India.
Insights
High lead levels were found in pregnant women and their newborns, posing risks to fetal development. Recent home painting and traffic proximity were linked to elevated maternal blood lead levels (MBLL).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Lead is a toxic element that can cross the placental barrier, affecting both maternal and infant health.
- Investigating lead poisoning in human populations is crucial for understanding and mitigating health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maternal blood lead levels (MBLL) and umbilical cord blood lead (UBLL) in pregnant women.
- To identify socio-demographic factors associated with elevated lead levels during pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 200 pregnant women and their umbilical cords.
- Maternal and umbilical cord blood lead concentrations were measured.
- Socio-demographic data were collected and analyzed for associations with MBLL.
Main Results:
- Elevated lead levels were detected in 47.5% of maternal blood samples and 38.5% of umbilical cord blood samples.
- A strong positive correlation (rs=0.63) was observed between MBLL and UBLL.
- Recent home painting and proximity to traffic congestion were significantly associated with higher MBLL.
Conclusions:
- Elevated maternal and umbilical cord blood lead levels indicate significant lead exposure in pregnant women and fetuses.
- Lead exposure during pregnancy can lead to adverse long-term effects on fetal development.
- Recommendations include screening high-risk women, regulating lead-based products, and increasing public awareness.
Abstract:
Lead is a highly toxic element which can cross the placental barrier and enter the fetus during pregnancy. Parental lead exposure has adverse effect on infant as well as on maternal health. As part of our program to investigate the lead poisoning in human population we investigated the maternal blood lead levels (MBLL) and umbilical cord blood lead (UBLL) levels in 200 pregnant women and collected their socio-demographic details. In the study we found high lead levels in both maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. The results showed 47.5% maternal blood (n = 95) detected with lead while 38.5% umbilical cord blood (n = 77) samples had lead concentration higher than that of reference range of ≤ 5 µg/dL. We also found that the Spearman's correlation coefficient (rs) revealed a strong positive correlation between the MBLL and UBLL (rs = 0.63). The results from socio-demographic questionnaire demonstrated that the recent home painting (p = 0.002) and residing close proximity to traffic congestion (p = 0.05) were significantly associated with MBLL. Education, mother age, fuel and water sources were not significantly associated with MBLL. Iron and calcium deficiency along with tiredness, lethargy, abdominal pain were also reported in women having high lead level > 5 µg/dL. Concludingly, on the basis of results obtained it may be stated that we found elevated BLLs in both pregnant women as well as in umbilical cord blood. The prevalence of elevated lead levels in mothers will expose the fetus to lead through placental barriers mobilization and it can have long term adverse effects on the developing fetus. Therefore, it is recommended that screening of blood lead levels be carried out in high-risk women based on their social, occupational, environmental, and individual factors. In addition, stringent regulations on lead-based products are also required from government agencies/authorities to reduce environmental lead burden and toxicity. Moreover, public awareness programs should be organized on hazardous effect of lead.
