Human Placenta as a Biomarker of Environmental Toxins Exposure – Long-Term Morphochemical Monitoring

“…[8][9][10][11] In addition, placenta morphometry has also been reported to be affected by heavy metal exposure. [3,12] The barrier characteristics of the placenta have shown to range with different heavy metals. The placenta is a partial barrier for cadmium, inorganic mercury, and arsenic and is a weaker barrier for lead and organic forms of mercury.…”

Section: Original Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The placenta is a partial barrier for cadmium, inorganic mercury, and arsenic and is a weaker barrier for lead and organic forms of mercury. [3,13,14] As a result, some of these heavy metals are found concentrated in the placenta tissues and fetal membranes. Increased heavy metal exposure during pregnancy has been associated with changes in placenta function and morphometry.…”

Section: Original Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased heavy metal exposure during pregnancy has been associated with changes in placenta function and morphometry. [3,12,15] There is limited information on the perceived effect of heavy metal exposure due to mining activities on placenta morphometry specific to the Tanzanian population. This study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the human placenta and the association between placenta weight and maternal factors in mining and non-mining areas in Northwestern Tanzania.…”

Section: Original Articlementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Placenta morphometry is seen to vary from place to place with different maternal factors, genetics, and environmental factors. [1,3] Mining activities are practiced in more than 100 countries in the world where mining companies and individual miners dig minerals and metals out of the ground, trying to meet the increasing demand in industrial production. [4] There is a lot of gold mining activities in Northwestern Tanzania in Geita, Mara, and Shinyanga regions, and this poses an increased risk of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) exposure to the miners as well as the people in the surrounding community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphometry of the Human Placenta in Mining and Non-Mining Areas in Northwestern Tanzania; A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Ndibalema

Mwaka

Rambau

et al. 2020

AANAT

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Introduction: Placenta morphometry varies with increased heavy metal concentrations among other factors. There is limited knowledge on the effect of perceived heavy metal exposure due to mining activities on placenta morphometry specific to the Tanzanian population. The study thus aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the human placenta and the association between placental weight with maternal factors in mining and non-mining areas in Northwestern Tanzania. Subjects and Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in Mwanza and Geita regions of Northwestern Tanzania representing the mining and non-mining areas, respectively. Included in the study were placentas from 490 mothers, residing in the respective areas throughout pregnancy. Comparison of the placenta morphometric variables between the two groups was made using the independent sample t-test, and association between the maternal factors and placenta weight was done using multi-level linear analysis. Results: The mean placenta weight in the non-mining and mining areas was 465.9±101.2 g and 443.6±82.7g, and the mean thickness was 1.52±0.32cm and 1.61±0.38cm respectively. The mean diameter in the non-mining and mining areas was 19.0±1.9cm, the mean cotyledon number was 20±5 and 19±4, and the mean cord length was 49.0±12.7cm and 50.1 ±10.4cm respectively. With the exception of cord length, the differences in the morphometric parameters in the non-mining and mining areas were significant p<0.5. Increase in maternal weight on booking and maternal age were associated with corresponding increase in placenta weight. Conclusion: The findings of this study seem to suggest that heavy metal exposure due to mining activities does affect placenta growth.

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Human Placenta as a Biomarker of Environmental Toxins Exposure – Long-Term Morphochemical Monitoring

Cited by 2 publications

References 64 publications

Mercury levels in parturient and newborns from Aveiro region, Portugal

Mercury levels in parturient and newborns from Aveiro region, Portugal

Morphometry of the Human Placenta in Mining and Non-Mining Areas in Northwestern Tanzania; A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

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