The Effect of Heavy Metals on Preterm Mortality and Morbidity

Selected maternal, fetal and placental trace element and heavy metal and maternal vitamin levels in preterm deliveries with or without preterm premature rupture of membranes

“…Compared to term newborns, in preterm newborns, especially with unknown etiology, higher lead and cadmium levels were found and it was suggested that these metals may affect gestational age at the fetal stage . Although the available literature suggests that prenatal exposure to cadmium and lead may play a role in preterm birth, morbidity and mortality through the effect on pathogenesis of related oxidative stress, the results of our study show that preterm deliveries presenting with PPROM and those presenting with intact membranes do not differ from each other with respect to their roles in the etiology.…”

“…Türker concluded that the data generated from various studies suggest that prenatal exposure to another heavy metal, cadmium, may also play a role through the effect on pathogenesis of related oxidative stress in preterm birth, morbidity and mortality . In addition to the induction of oxidative stress, the toxic effects of heavy metals may also be associated with substitute diverse polyvalent cations, including zinc and magnesium, functioning as structural elements in the maintenance of protein conformation, charge carriers and intermediaries in catalyzed reactions …”

The local health impacts of natural resource booms

“…No clear effects on birth defects CDC ( 2021 ) Cadmium* Low growth of newborn baby; low IQ level; cardiac abnormalities; cranio‐facial abnormalities such as small eyes of newborn baby, nasal bridge is poorly formed; lead to renal abnormalities Neeti et al. ( 2013 ) DNA damage in neonates Ni et al ( 2014 ) Maternal exposure during pregnancy induced fetal growth restriction, fetal death and birth defects, sudden infant death, and preterm birth Türker ( 2015 ) Chromium* Frequent spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature births, and neonatal deaths Blankenship et al. ( 1994 ); Costa ( 1997 ); Ajayi et al.…”

“…( 2005 ) Review paper which includes lead: miscarriage, premature births, low birth weight, and negative effects on brain and growth of children Neeti et al. ( 2013 ); Türker ( 2015 ) Frequent spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, premature births, and neonatal deaths Amadi et al. ( 2017 ) Higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight and retarded growth Iyengar & Nair ( 2000 ) Lithium Used to treat bipolar disorders, can have negative effects on fetus, but no definite evidence Cohen ( 1994 ) Small concentrations of lithium are beneficial to strengthen the cell wall and improve disease resistance Vetrimurugan ( 2017 ) Manganese* Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and lower birth weight Wood ( 2009 ) Negative effects on brain development; no clear effects on birth defects CDC ( 2021 ) Nickel Chronic toxicity (100 days): Respiratory disorders, pulmonary and nasal cavity cancers for male workers.…”