Cadmium concentration in maternal and cord blood and infant birth weight: a study on healthy non-smoking women

Abstract

The aim of our study was to measure, at delivery, maternal and cord blood cadmium levels (by means of atomic absorption spectrometry) in 45 healthy non-smoking pregnant women exposed to a low cadmium challenge, and to evaluate the relationship between these cadmium levels and the birth weight of the infants. Our results showed fairly low cadmium levels in maternal blood, in accordance with the fact that all women enrolled in this study lived in areas with low toxic metal contamination and that they did not smoke during their pregnancy. Furthermore, a highly significant direct correlation was found between maternal and cord blood cadmium concentrations. Since cadmium concentration appeared of the same order of magnitudine both in cord and maternal serum, one could speculate that cadmium is transferred easily from the mother to the fetus through the placenta. Finally, we found that birth weight is inversely correlated with maternal and cord blood cadmium concentrations; thus birth weight might be negatively influenced by cadmium levels as a result of the toxic effects of the metal on the placenta. Although preliminary, our data show that (also not-predictable) prenatal exposure to even low cadmium levels might be a risk factor for developmental impairment in infants.

Gestational Cadmium Exposure-Induced Ovotoxicity Delays Puberty through Oxidative Stress and Impaired Steroid Hormone Levels

“…It also decreases production of hCG and inhibits placental transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus [17]. Preterm delivery and lower birth weight of newborn infants were reported in women occupationally exposed to Cd and also the birth weight is inversely correlated with maternal and cord blood Cd concentrations [18]. Laudanski et al [19] reported that the mean blood concentration of Cd in mothers of preterm infants was higher than that of women who went to full term in an area with high amounts of lead and cadmium in the soil.…”

Organochlorine and heavy metals in newborns: Results from the Flemish Environment and Health Survey (FLEHS 2002–2006)

“…This metal is highly toxic at low concentrations. It is known to accumulate in the placenta and even low levels might be a risk factor for lower birth weight, reflecting developmental impairment in infants (Salpietro et al, 2002).…”

Metallothionein-I- and -II-deficient mice display increased susceptibility to cadmium-induced fetal growth restriction

“…The combination of cadmium's bioavailability, accumulation in the environment, and long biological half-life is only one factor that contributes to maternal exposure and increased risk of FGR. Additionally, clinical studies have reported significantly higher levels of cadmium in the placentas of growth-restricted babies born to smoking mothers (14,25,31,40,45,65). Moreover, animal studies have shown that maternal cadmium exposure leads to FGR (1, 2, 6, 8, 15, …”

“…MT-I AND -II PROTECT AGAINST CADMIUM-INDUCED FGR 16,20,32,40,45,47,58). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying cadmium-induced FGR remain largely unknown.…”