Maternal and Newborn Factors Associated with Meconium Metal Concentrations: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Prenatal metal exposure can affect fetal development and birth outcomes.
• Meconium is a key biomarker for cumulative intrauterine metal exposure.
• Limited data exists on maternal lifestyle and diet's influence on meconium metal levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate associations between maternal factors (diet, lifestyle) and metal concentrations in meconium.
• To analyze essential (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu) and toxic (Hg, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr) metals in meconium.
• To understand the relationship between maternal characteristics and fetal metal exposure.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 152 mother-newborn pairs' meconium samples using atomic absorption spectrometry.
• Collection of maternal and newborn data via questionnaires and medical records.
• Application of multivariable regression and Spearman's rank correlation to assess associations and correlations.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations observed among essential metals (e.g., Fe and Cu).
• Maternal diet and lifestyle factors showed significant associations with specific metal concentrations (e.g., fish intake with Hg and Mn; smoking with Cd).
• Rural residence linked to lower lead; higher pre-pregnancy BMI linked to increased cadmium.

Conclusions:

• Maternal diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors demonstrably influence fetal metal exposure.
• Findings emphasize the importance of monitoring metal exposure during pregnancy.
• Targeted education and food safety control are crucial for mitigating risks associated with prenatal metal exposure.