Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 25, Number 6 September 2001, pp. 461-465

Blood Lead and Zinc in Pregnant Women and their Offspring in Intrauterine Growth Retardation Cases*
S. Srivastava[1], P.K. Mehrotra[2], S.P. Srivastava[3], I. Tandon4 and M.K.J. Siddiqui[3]
[1]University of Faizabad, Faizabad-224001, India; [2]Dr. SPM Civil Hospital, Lucknow-226 001; [3]Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Post Box No. 80, M.G. Marg, Lucknow-226 01, India; and 4Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, King George’s Medical College, Lucknow-226 001, India

As part of our program to investigate the possible role of environmental pollutants in the incidence of intrauterine-growth retardation (IUGR) in India, we determined the lead and zinc levels in mothers and neonatal blood, collected at parturition, in cases with normal and IUGR babies. Both maternal and cord blood lead levels were significantly higher in IUGR cases than in normal cases (p < 0.05). The mean level of zinc was also higher in maternal blood of IUGR cases. Significantly, the mean cord blood lead level was > 10 mg/dL, which is greater than Centers for Disease Control’s intervention level, in 54% of newborns. A good correlation (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) between maternal and cord blood lead levels confirmed the transfer of lead from mother to the fetus. There was a weak but significant relationhsip between cord blood lead levels and birth weight of newborns (r = –0.22, p < 0.05). The study may serve as a pointer to the perils of in utero exposure to chemical contaminants and a call for measures by the public health authorities for a continuous bio-monitoring program to evaluate impact of environmental pollutants on women and children’s health.

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