Abstract
Sequential evaluations of pregnant women from three cities in the second trimester, at delivery, and of their infants indicate that lead circulating in the bloodstream is readily exchanged between mother and fetus and is present in the newborn. There is no significant change in lead concentration as pregnancy progresses, indicating no hormonal influence within pregnancy as is found in other trace metals. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration is twice normal in the cord and neonate samples, with no correlation to lowered serum iron. Mean blood lead concentrations are lower in maternal, cord, and neonate samples from Columbus than in the same samples from Boston and New Bedford, Mass.
Environmental lead concentrations are also lower in Columbus, especially in drinking water, and in dust, to a lesser extent. No abnormally high blood leads have been found in our population, but mothers with levels at the higher range of normal have off-spring with concomitant levels. Children will be followed for two years to evaluate the relative contribution of various environmental factors to increases in body lead burden.
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Lubin, A., Caffo, A., Reece, R. et al. 367 A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF INTERACTION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD AND BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATIONS DURING PREGNANCY, AT DELIVERY AND IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS OF LIFE. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 425 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00372
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00372
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