Associations between the Level of Trace Elements and Minerals and Folate in Maternal Serum and Amniotic Fluid and Congenital Abnormalities

Abstract

Congenital birth defects may result in a critical condition affecting the baby, including severe fetal/neonatal handicap and mortality. Several studies have shown that genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors may have an impact on fetal development and neonatal health. The relevance of essential and toxic elements on fetal development has not yet been fully investigated, and the results of recent research indicate that these elements may be crucial in the assessment of the risk of malformations in neonates. We determined the association between essential and toxic elements and the level of folate in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF), along with neonatal abnormalities. A total of 258 pregnant Polish women in the age group of 17–42 years participated in this study. AF and MS were collected during vaginal delivery or during cesarean section. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique was used to determine the levels of various elements in AF and MS. The results of this exploratory study indicate that the levels of essential and toxic elements are associated with fetal and newborn anatomical abnormalities and growth disorders.

Low manganese and high iron levels in amniotic fluid correlate with fetal chromosomal abnormalities in pregnant women

“…In our previous study, we indicated that some essential and toxic elements were associated with fetal congenital anatomical defects and growth disorders. We found that low concentrations of magnesium and vanadium in amniotic uid and high concentrations of aluminium, cadmium and lead increased the risk of non-genetic birth defects 10 .…”

“…Measurement of essential and toxic elements in AF has been described by Markiewicz et al 11 and Kocylowski et al 10 . This method involves the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique to assess the levels of Li, Mg, Al, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Sr and Cd in AF.…”

The Pathogenesis of Congenital Anomalies: Roles of Teratogens and Infections

“…It has a protective effect against heart diseases. It decreases the risk of birth of infants with neural tube defects (spina bifida), obstructive urinary tract anomalies, limb deficiencies, orofacial clefts, and congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis [74]. After absorption, folic acid is carried as a monoglutamate in the blood and is converted to various compounds in the cell, the most important being the reductase enzyme, tetrahydrofolate (THF).…”

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Affects Mineral Status in Female Rats with a Deficiency of These Micronutrients

“…The inadequate intake of these micronutrients among young women has been well documented in many developed countries. Low levels of iron and folate have been also found in the daily food rations of pregnant women, which is associated with an increased risk of anemia for the mother, and of neural tube defects for the fetus [1,2]. Iron and folic acid supplementation is therefore recommended as a public health intervention in menstruating and pregnant women, in order to improve their hemoglobin concentrations and iron and folic acid status, and thus reducing the risk of anemia [3].…”