Rural and urban differences in prenatal exposure to essential and toxic elements

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2018;81(23):1214-1223. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2018.1547890. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Abstract

Excess or inadequate levels of inorganic ions may induce significant acute and long-term irreversible dysfunction in humans. The fetus and placenta are particularly vulnerable to toxins due to the immaturity of the blood-brain barrier and diminished biotransformation enzymatic activity. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 172 pregnant women, 79 rural, and 93 urban. Umbilical cord blood was collected at the time of delivery and analyzed for 20 inorganic elements. Significant differences were found between urban and rural samples for two elements where copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) were higher in urban samples. No marked differences between groups occurred for: arsenic, barium, cadmium, calcium, cobalt, lead, lithium, magnesium, manganese, mercury, selenium, strontium, or zinc. All samples were devoid of platinum, silver, thallium or uranium. Data demonstrated significant differences in urban and rural prenatal exposure to Cu and Mo. Further study is needed to determine if there is a causal link between neonatal outcomes and prenatal exposure to these elements.

Keywords: Biomarker; metals; pregnancy; prenatal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Kentucky
  • Male
  • Maternal Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Ohio
  • Pregnancy
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Trace Elements / metabolism*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • West Virginia
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Trace Elements