Mercury in neonatal scalp hair

Total mercury levels (TML) were determined in 141 samples of maternal head and pubic hair and neonatal scalp hair. The mean mercury contents of maternal head and pubic hair were 1.88 and 1.10 mg kg-1, respectively, while the mean TML of neonatal hair was 0.11 mg kg-1. A statistically significant correlation was found between TMLs in neonatal and maternal hair. Significant inverse correlation was observed between the mercury concentration in the hair of a newborn and its birth weight. Reported findings provide evidence that the neonatal scalp hair mercury level may be a useful indicator of intrauterine exposure to mercury.