Very low maternal lead level in pregnancy and birth outcomes in an eastern Massachusetts population

Abstract

Purpose Maternal lead exposure is associated with poor birth outcomes in populations with moderate to high blood levels. However, no studies have looked at exposure levels commonly experienced by US women. Methods We evaluated the relationship between maternal red blood cell (RBC) lead levels in mid-pregnancy and birth outcomes in 949 mother-child pairs in a pre-birth cohort. We used multiple linear regression and logistic regression, adjusted for potential confounders including maternal age, race, pre-pregnancy BMI and smoking, to relate maternal lead to infant birth size and risk for preterm birth (<37 weeks). Results Mean RBC lead level was 1.2 μg/dL (Range: 0.0, 5.0). Mean (SD) birthweight was 3505 (520) grams, birthweight for gestational age z-score 0.22 (0.93), and length of gestation 39.5 (1.7) weeks. Mothers in the highest vs. lowest lead quartile did not have higher odds (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 0.79, 4.34) of preterm delivery; after stratifying by child sex there was an association among males (OR: 5.51, 95% CI: 1.21, 25.15) but not females (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.24, 2.85). Maternal RBC lead was not associated with any continuous outcomes in combined or sex-stratified analyses. Conclusions Maternal lead exposure, even at very low levels, may adversely affect some child birth outcomes, particularly preterm birth among males.

Evaluation of lead and essential elements in whole blood during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

“…However, in our study, approximately 9.2 % of all the pregnant women had a blood Pb level C70 lg/L. In comparison to previous studies, the present study determined higher levels of Pb at periods of pregnancy [18]. Therefore, a careful inspection of pregnant women's homes for environment sources of Pb is important in protecting them against continual exposure.…”

“…Lead is a nonessential nutrient element in the body and the ideal content of lead in the human body is zero. Maternal lead exposure, even at very low levels, may adversely affect some childbirth outcomes [18]. However, in our study, approximately 9.2 % of all the pregnant women had a blood Pb level C70 lg/L.…”

Metals compositions of indoor PM2.5, health risk assessment, and birth outcomes in Lanzhou, China

“…Other metals were not statistically significantly associated with birth weight or gestational age. Studies have reported a potential link between metal concentrations measured in blood samples and birth weight and gestational weeks, particularly for Pb, As, and Cd, but the results have been inconsistent Ikeh-Tawari et al 2013;Perkins et al, 2014;Vall et al, 2012). However, no study to date has investigated the relationship between metals in indoor air and adverse birth outcomes.…”

Altered miRNA Expression in the Cervix During Pregnancy Associated with Lead and Mercury Exposure

“…Specifically, maternal exposure to lead and mercury may contribute to increased risk of spontaneous abortion [2–4] and preterm delivery [5, 6]. Exposure to lead and mercury is widespread in US and Mexican populations [7, 8].…”

“…This study aimed to identify miRNAs that were significantly associated with i) blood lead, ii) patellar or tibial bone lead, or iii) toenail mercury. Lead was selected as a prioritized metal of interest based on previously observed associations between prenatal lead exposure and preterm birth [6, 25, 26]. Mercury was also prioritized since limited literature suggests a relationship may exist with increased preterm birth risk [5].…”