Correlation between maternal and fetal umbilical cord blood lead concentrations in Libya

Abstract

Background: People are exposed to lead from car exhaust fumes (leaded petrol), lead-based paints, plumbing systems, cigarette smoking, contaminated soil and dust, foods grown in polluted areas, and water sources. Among the vulnerable subpopulations are pregnant women, fetuses and infants. Aims: To estimate and correlate maternal and neonatal blood lead levels and compare these between neonates and their mothers in Tripoli and Ghadames. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood was collected from 120 and 116 mothers and their neonates from Tripoli and Ghadames, respectively. Lead levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A simple questionnaire was filled by the participants using face-to face interview. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and Excel. Results: Mean blood and umbilical cord lead levels were 6.83 (standard deviation 4.96) and 6.05 (4.89) µg/dl in mothers and neonates from Tripoli, respectively, and 5.91 (4.02) and 4.54 (4.09) µg/dl from Ghadames. There was no significant difference in blood lead level between mothers from Tripoli and Ghadames. However, there was a significant correlation between maternal blood and umbilical cord blood in Tripoli and Ghadames. Linear regression revealed that neonatal umbilical cord blood lead levels reflected the levels in maternal blood. Blood lead in this study was higher than that reported in industrialized western countries. Conclusion: We detected moderate blood lead levels among pregnant women in Tripoli and Ghadames. It is important to detect the source of lead in the Libyan population to treat this problem effectively.

Blood lead levels in pregnant women and their newborn infants at an Indian teaching hospital

“…Children are particularly susceptible to neurological problems brought on by lead exposure because of their developing brain systems. [ 6 ]…”

“…Due to hormonal changes, deposits of lead that have been accumulating in the mother’s bones and teeth for years as a result of a polluted environment are released into her circulation during pregnancy. [ 6 7 ] Exposure to lead during a person’s prenatal and postnatal development can substantially disrupt their neurocognitive system, resulting in the onset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Lead is a neurotoxic metal.…”

Relationship between lead concentration in maternal and umbilical cord blood and some neonatal outcomes in primiparous opium-dependent mothers in Zahedan, Southeast of Iran in 2022

“…Evidence indicates an epidemic of lead poisoning in opium addicts in Iran [ 2 , 3 ]. Pregnant women, infants and children are among the groups vulnerable to lead [ 4 ].…”

“…Studies show the contradiction between maternal and fetal plasma lead levels. In some studies, a positive and significant relationship has been reported between maternal and fetal lead levels [ 4 , 13 ]. However, other studies have the opposite opinion.…”

“…Studies regarding the relationship between umbilical cord blood lead levels and pregnancy outcomes show that with increasing lead levels, hemoglobin concentration, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, height and head circumference of the baby are decreased, while the history of abortion, cesarean section (CS), premature rupture of membranes ( PPROM) and preterm delivery are increased [ 11 , 15 ]. Also, a high level of lead in maternal serum is associated with an increase in abortion, stillbirth, malformation, infant death, and decreased brain development [ 4 ].…”