Blood Lead Level and Blood Pressure During Pregnancy in South Central Los Angeles

Abstract

In many studies in which the relationship between blood pressure and blood lead level has been examined, investigators have found significant--but small--associations. There was only one previous report of a significant association of blood lead with blood pressure in pregnant women. We measured blood lead level and sitting blood pressure of 1,627 women in their third trimester of pregnancy. We eliminated subjects with known causes of hypertension. Most women (98.4%) were normotensive. We controlled for body mass index, age, and stress--among other factors--and constructed multiple-regression models of lead association with diastolic and systolic blood pressures. Immigrants (73% of total) had significantly higher blood lead levels and different blood pressures than nonimmigrants, suggesting that analysis be stratified by "immigrant, nonimmigrant" status. Positive relationships between blood lead level and blood pressure were found only for immigrants (p < or = .001). From the 5th to 95th blood-lead percentiles (0.9-6.2 microg/dl) in immigrants, systolic blood pressure increased 2.8 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure increased 2.4 mm Hg. Higher prior lead exposure of immigrants (97.7% from Latin countries) than nonimmigrants might explain the differential effect of these low levels of blood lead on blood pressure in nonimmigrants. Perhaps some immigrants are at higher risk than nonimmigrants for lead-associated elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, despite blood lead levels within the currently considered acceptable range.

Blood Lead Level Is Associated With Elevated Blood Pressure in Blacks

“…41 Furthermore, racial differences in bone metabolism and, specifically, in bone handling of lead may contribute to this apparent discrepancy in the association between blood lead level and elevated BP. 45 Blacks might also be more sensitive to the effects of lead exposure on BP owing to environmental and genetic factors. Residual confounding due to factors related to social-economic status might also contribute to a stronger association among blacks.…”

“…Several other studies have suggested that blood lead is more strongly related to elevated BP and hypertension in women compared with men. 6,28,33,36,45,46 Both environmental and occupational exposure to lead has long been associated with hypertension and renal disease. 1,4,17,18,47,48 Animal studies suggest that even low levels of exposure to lead can result in hypertension.…”

An epidemiological re-appraisal of the association between blood pressure and blood lead: a meta-analysis

“…In four studies 31,38,65,74 the association size was reported separately for whites (n = 15 911) and nonwhites (n = 6035). For white subjects the association was 0.4 mm Hg (CI: −0.7 to +1.5 mm Hg; P = 0.26) for systolic pressure and 0.2 mm Hg (+0.1 to +0.3 mm Hg; P Ͻ 0.001) for diastolic pressure.…”

Lead Level in Pregnant Women Suffering from Pre- Ec-lampsia in Baghdad City- Iraq

“…As well our results agree with kasper, et al [11] [12] [13] who they found that the lead level in the serum was positively associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Meanwhile explained Rothenberg et al and Mitra et al [14] [15] found significant positive association between lead level and blood pressure in pregnant women. This is what was said kasper, et al [11] [12] [13] as explained the pregnant women exposure to lead from breathing the air contaminated by leaded gasoline which found in the roads.…”