Modeling Low Level Cord Blood Lead Exposure and Maternal Blood Pressure

Abstract Background Despite dramatic declines in prenatal maternal blood lead levels (BLLs) in most developed countries, little is known about the effects of extremely low-level (<1.0 µg/dL) lead exposure on fetal growth. Methods We measured maternal BLL during the second or third trimester of pregnancy and assessed birth outcomes, including birthweight, preterm birth (<37 gestational weeks) risk, small for gestational age births (SGA; birthweight <10th percentile) and low birthweight (LBW; <2500 g). The association between birthweight and maternal BLL was estimated using linear and quadratic spline models. Multivariable logistic models were used to examine the risk of binary responses. Results From 103 099 pregnant women, 20 000 blood samples were randomly selected for analysis. The maternal BLL range was 0.16–7.4 µg/dL, and the median was 0.63 µg/dL. After adjusting for covariates, the linear model showed that each 0.1 μg/dL increase in maternal BLL was associated with a 5.4 g decrease in mean birthweight [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.4 to 7.5 g]. The risk of SGA [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.05) and LBW (aOR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.05) increased, whereas the risk of preterm delivery did not (aOR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.02). Conclusions Even at a maternal BLL below 1.0 µg/dL, prenatal lead exposure was associated with decreased birthweight and increased risk of SGA and LBW, but not preterm delivery. The adverse effect estimates of prenatal lead exposure on birth outcomes were quantitatively small and clinically limited at this low level.

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A871 EFFECTS OF BLOOD LEAD LEVEL AND BONE LEAD CONCENTRATION ON MATERNAL BLOOD PRESSURE DURING PREGNANCY

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/00000542-199709001-00871 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 87 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 871A ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

&NA; Rothenberg ◽

C. Johnson ◽

F.A. Khan ◽

M. Manalo ◽

R. Cuellar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Concentration ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Bone Lead ◽

Maternal Blood Pressure

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Sex-Dependent Impact of Low-Level Lead Exposure during Prenatal Period on Child Psychomotor Functions

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph15102263 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (10) ◽

pp. 2263 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Kinga Polanska ◽

Wojciech Hanke ◽

Natalia Pawlas ◽

Ewelina Wesolowska ◽

Agnieszka Jankowska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead ◽

Psychomotor Development ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Prenatal Period ◽

Low Level ◽

Child Neurodevelopment ◽

Lead Levels ◽

The Impact

The impact of exposure to lead on child neurodevelopment has been well established. However, sex differences in vulnerability are still not fully explained. We aimed at evaluating the effect of a low-level lead exposure, as measured between 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy and in cord blood, on developmental scores up to 24 months of age in 402 children from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort (REPRO_PL). Additionally, sex-dependent susceptibility to lead at this very early stage of psychomotor development was assessed. The blood lead levels were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In order to estimate the children’s neurodevelopment, the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was applied. The geometric mean (GM) for blood lead level during 20–24 weeks of pregnancy was 0.99 ± 0.15 µg/dL and, in the cord blood, it was 0.96 ± 0.16 µg/dL. There was no statistically significant impact of lead exposure during prenatal period on the girls’ psychomotor abilities. Among the boys, we observed lower scores for cognitive functions, along with increasing cord blood lead levels (β = −2.07; p = 0.04), whereas the results for the language and motor abilities were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Our findings show that fetal exposure to very low lead levels might affect early cognitive domain, with boys being more susceptible than girls. Education on health, higher public awareness, as well as intervention programs, along with relevant regulations, are still needed to reduce risks for the vulnerable population subgroups.

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Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Blockade Improves Uterine Artery Resistance, Maternal Blood Pressure, and Fetal Growth in Placental Ischemic Rats

Pregnancy Hypertension ◽

10.1016/j.preghy.2021.05.002 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Olivia K Travis ◽

Geilda A Tardo ◽

Chelsea Giachelli ◽

Shani Siddiq ◽

Henry Thai Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Tumor Necrosis Factor ◽

Tumor Necrosis ◽

Uterine Artery ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽

Alpha Blockade ◽

Factor Alpha ◽

Necrosis Factor ◽

Maternal Blood Pressure

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Blood lead level and risk of hypertension in the United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2016

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82435-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Man Fung Tsoi ◽

Chris Wai Hang Lo ◽

Tommy Tsang Cheung ◽

Bernard Man Yung Cheung

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Lead Exposure ◽

Blood Lead Level ◽

Lead Level ◽

Blood Lead ◽

The United States ◽

Study Data ◽

Blood Lead Levels ◽

Environmental Lead ◽

Lead Levels

AbstractLead is a heavy metal without a biological role. High level of lead exposure is known to be associated with hypertension, but the risk at low levels of exposure is uncertain. In this study, data from US NHANES 1999–2016 were analyzed. Adults with blood lead and blood pressure measurements, or self-reported hypertension diagnosis, were included. If not already diagnosed, hypertension was defined according to the AHA/ACC 2017 hypertension guideline. Results were analyzed using R statistics version 3.5.1 with sample weight adjustment. Logistic regression was used to study the association between blood lead level and hypertension. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated. Altogether, 39,477 participants were included. Every doubling in blood lead level was associated with hypertension (OR [95%CI] 1.45 [1.40–1.50]), which remained significant after adjusting for demographics. Using quartile 1 as reference, higher blood lead levels were associated with increased adjusted odds of hypertension (Quartile 4 vs. Quartile 1: 1.22 [1.09–1.36]; Quartile 3 vs. Quartile 1: 1.15 [1.04–1.28]; Quartile 2 vs. Quartile 1: 1.14 [1.05–1.25]). In conclusion, blood lead level is associated with hypertension in the general population with blood lead levels below 5 µg/dL. Our findings suggest that reducing present levels of environmental lead exposure may bring cardiovascular benefits by reducing blood pressure.

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