33 research outputs found
Prenatal exposure to aluminum and status of selected essential trace elements in rural South African women at delivery
Abstract: This study sought to evaluate the in utero exposure to aluminum and status of selected trace elements in South African women at delivery since aluminum is known to be toxic in all developmental stages even at low concentrations. Serum aluminum was negatively correlated with aluminum in urine, both uncorrected and corrected for creatinine, which suggests the retention of aluminum in body stores. Serum copper and zinc levels were found to be high in this study population. Serum copper levels were negatively correlated with aluminum in serum (β = −0.095; p = 0.05). There was a marginal negative correlation between aluminum levels in serum and manganese levels in whole blood (β = −0.087; p = 0.08). Copper levels in maternal serum were negatively correlated with birth weight and the length of neonates. There were a number of positive correlations between maternal characteristics and birth outcomes. Mothers who consumed root vegetables frequently appeared to be protected from aluminum retention and increased body burden since their serum aluminum levels were found to be significantly lower. The findings of the current study can be used as a baseline for further research on aluminum exposure and its associated interactions and outcomes in vulnerable populations
Introduction to the Special Issue of IJERPH Entitled “Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Pollutants and Other Stressors: Impacts on Fetal Development, Birth Outcomes, Children’s Health and Beyond”
Environmental pollution is a major cause of global diseases, death and disability, with a toll greater than that caused by communicable diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, combined [...
Selenium Status, Its Interaction with Selected Essential and Toxic Elements, and a Possible Sex-Dependent Response In Utero, in a South African Birth Cohort
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and its deficiency in utero may affect fetus development and birth outcomes. The current study aimed to assess serum Se status at delivery and examine the possible association between Se levels and birth outcomes. The interaction of Se with selected essential and toxic elements as well as possible sex-dependent responses in utero were also evaluated. The negative association between Se levels and head circumference of neonates was evident in the total cohort (β = −0.164; p < 0.001) as well as in the pre-term and full-term cohorts. Significant positive correlations were found between maternal serum Se concentrations and zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the total and regional cohorts. In the total cohort, the toxic elements lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) showed a negative correlation with Se levels, while mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) showed a positive correlation. The study found a sex-dependent response in utero for Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Al. The findings of the current study may inform reproductive health policy on Se status in South Africa and highlight the need for sensitive methods to measure Se intake during pregnancy and its complex interactions with other micronutrients and environmental pollutants
Selenium Status, Its Interaction with Selected Essential and Toxic Elements, and a Possible Sex-Dependent Response In Utero, in a South African Birth Cohort
Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element and its deficiency in utero may affect fetus development and birth outcomes. The current study aimed to assess serum Se status at delivery and examine the possible association between Se levels and birth outcomes. The interaction of Se with selected essential and toxic elements as well as possible sex-dependent responses in utero were also evaluated. The negative association between Se levels and head circumference of neonates was evident in the total cohort (β = −0.164; p < 0.001) as well as in the pre-term and full-term cohorts. Significant positive correlations were found between maternal serum Se concentrations and zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in the total and regional cohorts. In the total cohort, the toxic elements lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) showed a negative correlation with Se levels, while mercury (Hg), aluminum (Al) and cadmium (Cd) showed a positive correlation. The study found a sex-dependent response in utero for Zn, Cu, Pb, Hg, and Al. The findings of the current study may inform reproductive health policy on Se status in South Africa and highlight the need for sensitive methods to measure Se intake during pregnancy and its complex interactions with other micronutrients and environmental pollutants
Prenatal exposure to cadmium, placental permeability and birth outcomes in coastal populations of South Africa
Background
The impact of prenatal exposure to cadmium (Cd) on birth outcomes is an area of concern.
This study aimed to assess an impact of prenatal Cd exposure on birth outcomes in distinct
coastal populations of South Africa.
Methods
Cadmium was measured in maternal blood (CdB) (n = 641), cord blood and in maternal
urine (n = 317). This investigation assessed the associations between CdB (non-transformed)
and birth outcomes across the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile for birth weight, birth
length and head circumference, to test for a linear trend. Associations between natural
log-transformed maternal CdB, size at birth and other factors were further evaluated using
linear mixed-effects modelling with random intercepts.
Results
The average gestational age in the total sample was 38 weeks; 47% of neonates were
female, average birth weight was 3065 g and 11% were of low birth weight (< 2500 g). The
geometric mean (GM) of the maternal CdB level was 0.25 μg/L (n = 641; 95% CI, 0.23–
0.27). The cord blood Cd level was 0.27 μg/L (n = 317; 95% CI, 0.26–0.29) and urine (creatinine-corrected)
Cd level was 0.27 μg/L (n = 318; 95% CI, 0.24–0.29). The CdB cord:maternal
ratio in the sub-cohort was 1, suggesting that the placenta offers no protective
mechanism to the foetus. An inverse association was found between CdB and the lower
birth weight percentile in female neonates only (β = - 0.13, p = 0.047). Mothers who reported
eating vine vegetables daily had lower levels of CdB (β = - 0.55, p = 0.025). Maternal smoking
was associated with an elevation in natural log-transformed CdB levels in both male and
female cohorts.Discussion
Significant inverse associations between prenatal Cd exposure and birth anthropometry
were found in female neonates but not in male neonates, suggesting potential sex differences
in the toxico-kinetics and toxico-dynamics of Cd
Le Monde
08 février 18661866/02/08 (A7,N38).Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : BbLevt
Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (p-value) of associations between exposures, maternal covariates and infant anthropometry measures at birth in female neonates and their mothers.
<p>Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (p-value) of associations between exposures, maternal covariates and infant anthropometry measures at birth in female neonates and their mothers.</p
Mean maternal blood cadmium (CdB) levels in each quintile [25th (Q25), 50th (Q50), and 75th (Q75)] of birth weight for [A] boys and [B] girls.
<p>Mean maternal blood cadmium (CdB) levels in each quintile [25th (Q25), 50th (Q50), and 75th (Q75)] of birth weight for [A] boys and [B] girls.</p