Relationship of blood lead levels to obstetric outcome

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5757589

Angell, N F; Lavery, J P

Lead represents a significant environmental hazard to pregnant women and their offspring. Exposure to high environmental levels of lead has been associated with spontaneous abortion, premature rupture of fetal membranes (PROM), and preterm delivery. The relationship between lower exposures and obstetric complications is unknown. The concentration of lead in the blood was measured in 635 specimens of umbilical cord blood collected at delivery. No relationship was found between concentrations of lead in cord blood and the incidence of PROM, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, or meconium staining. Maternal and infant capillary blood was collected 24 hours post partum from 154 of these deliveries. The concentrations of lead in the blood did not vary significantly among cord, infant, and maternal samples, and the three measurements were highly correlated. Levels of zinc protoporphyrin (ZnP) were increased in cord blood as compared with mothers' blood, but no concentration-response relationships between the ratio of cord ZnP to maternal ZnP and lead were found.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Louisville School of Medicine, KY
• OSTI ID: 5757589
• Journal Information: Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.; (United States) Vol. 142:1; ISSN AJOGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560306* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE GROUPS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BODY FLUIDS
CHILDREN
DATA
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFANTS
INFORMATION
LEAD
MATERIALS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PATIENTS
PREGNANCY
QUANTITY RATIO
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS