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BackgroundAnthropometric parameters at birth are important indicators of child vulnerability to the risk of childhood illness, and consequently, the chance of survival and risk of diseases late in life. The aim of this study was to investigate correlations between toxic (aluminium, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury) and essential metals (copper, manganese, selenium and zinc) in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples, with newborn anthropometric parameters in a predominantly agricultural community of Ebony State, Nigeria. MethodsQuestionnaires were administered to 60 pregnant women at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria, to collect demographic information and lifestyle during pregnancy. In addition, we measured several anthropological parameters of newborns, including head circumference, birth weight and birth length. Furthermore, cord and maternal blood samples were analysed by the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). ResultsMost metals had a strong correlation between maternal and cord blood. Maternal characteristics like sleeping pattern, gestation age at delivery and maternal weight significantly predicted 76% variations in baby weight. Maternal blood aluminium was inversely correlated with body weight (r=-0.61) and birth length (r=-0.61). Gestation age at delivery, maternal weight and baby weight were strong predictors of the baby length. Toxic metals were associated with altered anthropometric parameters at birth, with varying contributions to the altered anthropometric outcomes.

Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of quarry mining activities on malaria prevalence in rural communities of Ebonyi state, Nigeria. Study Design: A comparative cross sectional study design. Place and Duration of Study: Rural communities of Ebonyi State southeast Nigeria betweenNovember 2011 and February 2012. Methodology: Two rural communities in Ebonyi state, Nigeria were purposively selected for the study. One was renowned for its numerous quarry mining industries while the control group was a farming community. Total population study of the two communities were done. Data collection involved a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire and blood film examination for malaria parasites. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science statistical software Original Research Article