Prenatal Exposure to Aluminum and Status of Selected Essential Trace Elements in Rural South African Women at Delivery

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the in utero exposure to aluminum and status of selected trace elements in South African women at delivery since aluminum is known to be toxic in all developmental stages even at low concentrations. Serum aluminum was negatively correlated with aluminum in urine, both uncorrected and corrected for creatinine, which suggests the retention of aluminum in body stores. Serum copper and zinc levels were found to be high in this study population. Serum copper levels were negatively correlated with aluminum in serum (β = −0.095; p = 0.05). There was a marginal negative correlation between aluminum levels in serum and manganese levels in whole blood (β = −0.087; p = 0.08). Copper levels in maternal serum were negatively correlated with birth weight and the length of neonates. There were a number of positive correlations between maternal characteristics and birth outcomes. Mothers who consumed root vegetables frequently appeared to be protected from aluminum retention and increased body burden since their serum aluminum levels were found to be significantly lower. The findings of the current study can be used as a baseline for further research on aluminum exposure and its associated interactions and outcomes in vulnerable populations.

In Utero Exposure to Aluminium and Other Neurotoxic Elements in Urban Coastal South African Women at Delivery: An Emerging Concern

“…Thus, the mean concentration of Al in serum is higher in the urban coastal population, although the ranges are very similar in both populations, viz. 0.25 to 59.42 µg/L in rural women [17] versus 0.18 to 60 µg/L in urban coastal women (this study). Serum Al levels of over 100 µg/L are consistent with overload and reports show that levels above 100 µg/L indicate possible toxicity [46].…”

“…The mean Al (SD) level at delivery in this study was found to be 25.5 (23.1) µg/L, ranging from 0.18 to 60 µg/L and exceeding ASTDR normal levels. In addition, these Al concentrations in serum were 2.5 times higher (statistically significant) when compared to those of a cohort of South African rural women at delivery, in the previous study by the same investigators [17]. As anticipated, this urban coastal study population had a higher number of women who had secondary or tertiary education (97.5%), used electricity as fuel for cooking (97.5%) and had municipal water (67%) in their homes compared to the rural women (87.9%, 64.8% and 25%, respectively).…”

“…In a previous study of the rural cohort of women, no association was found for any of the anthropometry measures [17]. Likewise, a recent study in Jamaican neonates found no correlation between Al levels in cord blood and birth outcomes [47].…”

“…The Analyses of samples for the selected elements manganese (Mn), Hg, Pb and As in maternal whole blood have been described previously [17,[38][39][40].…”

“…Al is also thought to play a role in the aetiology of many diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinsonism-Dementia [13][14][15]. In addition, a number of studies have shown that Al can affect the metabolism of essential metals in animals, occupationally exposed workers and pregnant women [16][17][18].…”