Maternal blood lead concentration, diet during pregnancy, and anthropometry predict neonatal blood lead in a socioeconomically disadvantaged population.

Abstract

To determine the influences of maternal diet and nutrition during pregnancy on the blood lead level of neonates, we conducted a study of mother-infant pairs from lower socioeconomic circumstances living in Albany County, New York. Maternal blood lead (MBPb), anthropometry, and diet were assessed in each trimester. Neonates' blood lead (NBPb) levels were low (geometric mean = 1.58 micro g/dL), and none had elevated blood lead. More than 50% of the mothers had intakes below the recommended dietary allowances for zinc, calcium, iron, vitamin D, and kilocalories. As expected, MBPb was strongly and positively related to NBPb. Among the anthropometric measures of maternal nutritional status, variables measuring gain in weight and arm circumference were negatively related to NBPb. In multivariable models reflecting different analytic strageties and including MBPb, anthropometry, and sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intakes of iron and vitamin D were negatively related to NBPb. The effect of zinc varied substantially depending on model covariates. Effects of dietary constituents are difficult to distinguish, given the intercorrelated nature of nutrients in the diet. Nevertheless, the influences of maternal anthropometric variables, iron, and vitamin D on neonatal lead levels are clear in our analyses.

Teratogen update: Lead and pregnancy

“…Between 20 weeks of gestation and delivery, blood lead increased by 1.6 g/dl. This U-shaped pattern of change in blood lead level over pregnancy is consistently observed Schell et al, 2000Schell et al, , 2003Sowers et al, 2002;Gulson et al, 2004). Plasma lead level appears to follow a similar pattern (Tellez-Rojo et al, 2004).…”

Levels of toxic and essential metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood from selected areas of South Africa—results of a pilot study

“…[39][40][41][42] At this stage, the possibility of further exposure to lead after birth, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, not only in South Africa but also in other developing countries, cannot be ruled out. 43 In contrast to cadmium, mercury and lead discussed above, manganese is an essential trace metal and both deficiency and excess of manganese are toxic to humans. Like lead and mercury, manganese is a neurotoxic metal able to easily cross the bloodbrain barrier.…”

Molecular and ionic mimicry and the transport of toxic metals

“…Children who were Fe-deficient and were living in environments containing high levels of Pb 2+ had higher blood Pb 2+ concentrations than children whose iron levels were normal (Brandman et al, 2001). Furthermore, Schell et al (2003) found that the blood levels of Pb 2+ in newborns were related inversely to the Fe status of the mothers. Owing to the observed interaction between Fe 2+ and Pb 2+ , it can be hypothesized that these two metals utilize one or more of the same transport mechanisms, perhaps the Fe 2+ transporter, DMT1.…”

“…Specifically, the toxicological signs of Pb 2+ exposure, such as the urinary excretion of δ-aminolevulinic acid, were greater in rats fed an Fe-deficient diet than in rats fed a normal diet (Six and Goyer, 1972). Epidemiological studies of children have demonstrated a relationship between Fe status and blood levels of Pb 2+ (Brandman et al, 2001;Schell et al, 2003). Children who were Fe-deficient and were living in environments containing high levels of Pb 2+ had higher blood Pb 2+ concentrations than children whose iron levels were normal (Brandman et al, 2001).…”