Prenatal Exposure to Mercury and Adverse Birth Outcomes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Rio Birth Cohort Study (PIPA Project)

Abstract

Background: Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic environmental pollutant, with studies of its prenatal exposure indicating adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm delivery, and microcephaly. Therefore, we analyzed prenatal Hg exposure levels and their relationship with birth outcomes in pregnant women living in an urban area in the city of Rio de Janeiro.