scholarly journals Cord and Maternal Blood Essential and Toxic Elements Levels in Occupationally Exposed Pregnant Women - Possible Implications in Asd Aetiogenesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ISHIAQ OMOTOSHO ◽  
Olufunke Akinade
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Metal Levels ◽  
Occupationally Exposed

Abstract Background: Incidence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in children as a neurodevelopmental abnormality is growing. Compounded by equivocal deductions from several genetic and environmental studies aimed at establishing its aetiology, it is becoming a global medical challenge. This work investigated placental transfer of some micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg, Se) and toxic (Cd, Pb) metals in occupationally vulnerable pregnant mothers as possible basis of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in children with ASD. Method: 105 third trimester pregnant women comprising 50 occupationally exposed (cases) (27.68±5.57 years) and 55 non-occupationally exposed age-matched pregnant women (28.84±5.37 years) (controls) were recruited by convenient sampling method for this study. Blood (including cord blood) was collected from all participants. Trace and toxic elements levels were determined in the blood samples using Induction-Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy; anthropometric and sociodemographic data of the women along with the developmental milestone indices of the baby at infancy were also recorded.Results: Levels of trace elements were 328.02±109.99mg/L, 370.82±192.97umol/L, 8.61±0.89mg/dl, 1.52±0.26mg/dl and 10.17±1.22mg/L; 348.27±150.61mg/L, 416.80±276.73umol/L, 8.61±0.86mg/dl, 1.46±0.35mg/dl and 8.96±1.15 mg/L for Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg and Se in cases and controls respectively. The differences were not significant. Less than 10% of participants samples (maternal and cord blood) had detectable toxic metal levels. However, cord blood trace elements concentrations were 125.07±24.66mg/l, 525.38±45.86umol/L, 8.44±0.15mg/dl, 1.51±0.31mg/dl and 7.02±0.72mg/dl in cases and 91.05±13.27mg/l, 591.22±44.62umol/l, 1.63±0.15mg/dl and 8.19±0.78mg/L in control for Cu, Zn, Ca, Mg and Se respectively. Only cord blood Mg level was significantly different (p=0.013). Baby weight and head circumferences also correlated significantly with cord Zn and Cu levels (r=0.293, p=0.039), (r=0.478, p=0.010) respectively. Discussion: The observed downregulation of Mg and Se may have initiated a prooxidant reaction of the upregulated Cu in the foetus overwhelming the protective effects of Zn in scavenging the ROS produced by the combined effects of Cu and the toxic metals to which the cases were occupationally exposed. Our hypothesis is that given the role of Se, Cu and Mg in neurodevelopment, this may be the basis of the abnormal developmental milestones characteristic of ASD. Conclusion: The need to monitor environmental exposure in pregnancy may be an imperative step in stemming the growing incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in this environment.

scholarly journals Population Pharmacokinetics of Emtricitabine in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Pregnant Women and Their Neonates

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 1067-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Déborah Hirt ◽  
Saik Urien ◽  
Elisabeth Rey ◽  
Elise Arrivé ◽  
Didier K. Ekouévi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
Effect Compartment ◽  
Maternal Circulation ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT The objectives of this study were to evaluate emtricitabine (FTC) pharmacokinetics in pregnant women and their neonates and to determine the optimal prophylactic dose for neonates after birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A total of 38 HIV-infected pregnant women were administered tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate (300 mg)-FTC (200 mg) tablets—two tablets at the initiation of labor and one daily for 7 days postpartum. By pair, 11 maternal, one cord blood, and two neonatal FTC concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry validated method and analyzed by a population approach. Model and mean estimates (interpatient variability) were a two-compartment model for mothers, with an absorption rate constant of 0.54 h−1 (61%), apparent elimination and intercompartmental clearances of 23.2 (17%) and 6.04 liters·h−1, and apparent central and peripheral volumes of 127 and 237 liters, respectively; an effect compartment linked to maternal circulation for cord blood and a neonatal compartment disconnected, after delivery, with a 10.6-h half-life (30%). After the 400-mg FTC administration, the median population area under the concentration-time curve and the minimal and maximal plasma FTC concentrations in pregnant women were 14.3 mg·liter−1·h and 1.68 and 0.076 mg/liter, respectively. At delivery, median (range) predicted maternal and cord blood FTC concentrations were, respectively, 1.16 (0.14 to 1.99) and 0.72 (0.05 to 1.19) mg·liter−1. We concluded that the 400-mg FTC administration in pregnant women produces higher exposition than does the 200-mg administration in other adults, at steady state. FTC was shown to have good placental transfer (80%). Administering 1 mg FTC/kg as soon as possible after birth or 2 mg/kg 12 h after birth should produce neonatal concentrations comparable to the concentrations observed in adults.

Insecticide Exposure of Mothers and Newborns in a Rural Agricultural Area

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 869-874
Author(s):  
A. Joseph D'Ercole ◽  
Robert D. Arthur ◽  
Jimmie D. Cain ◽  
Ben F. Barrentine
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Area ◽  
Chlorinated Hydrocarbon ◽  
Insecticide Exposure ◽  
Occupationally Exposed ◽  
Residue Levels

Pregnant women in a rural agricultural area were found to have levels of residues of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in their serum which were comparable to those found in occupationally exposed men. Cord blood of offspring also had significant residue levels. Residues were higher in blacks and in mothers living in rural areas where exposure was more intense. In newborns no signs or symptoms compatible with acute chlorinated hydrocarbon poisoning were found. Despite the lack of DDT use during most of the study period, over 90% of the mothers, 84% of the black newborns, and 45% of the white newborns demonstrated evidence of recent DDT exposure.

scholarly journals Hair Trace Elements in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Systematic Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Mikulewicz ◽  
Katarzyna Chojnacka
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Trace Elements ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Study Selection ◽  
Comparison Of The Results

Abstract (1) Background: The aim of this work was to systematically review the literature on the relation between the levels of elements in hair (toxic elements and trace elements) on the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder. (2) Methods: Search strategy and study selection: Original articles were included if they met the including criteria that report the trace element levels in hair. The following databases were screened: Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar (from 2000.01.01 to 2020.11.11). The main search terms used were “hair element analysis and trace elements and autism”. (3) Results: The papers available describe results of studies undertaken with the use of different methodology: diversified size of experimental groups, different sampling and analytical techniques. Therefore direct comparison of the results is not informative. (4) Conclusions: It was found that pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder was associated with the exposure to toxic elements (e.g. Hg and Pb) which act as neurotoxicants. Also, the relation between some microelements seem to be significant, in particular the ratio Zn/Cu. Higher level of zinc and level levels of copper play the protectory role.

scholarly journals Randomized Open-Label Pilot Study of the Influence of Probiotics and the Gut Microbiome on Toxic Metal Levels in Tanzanian Pregnant Women and School Children

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan E. Bisanz ◽  
Megan K. Enos ◽  
Joseph R. Mwanga ◽  
John Changalucha ◽  
Jeremy P. Burton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus ◽  
Toxic Metal ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Metal Levels

ABSTRACT Exposure to environmental toxins is a 21st century global health problem that is often the result of dietary intake. Although efforts are made to reduce dietary toxin levels, they are often unsuccessful, warranting research into novel methods to reduce host exposure. Food-grade microbes that can be delivered to the gastrointestinal tract and that are capable of sequestering toxins present a safe and cost-effective intervention. We sought to investigate the potential for probiotic-supplemented yogurt to lower heavy metal levels in at-risk populations of pregnant women and in children in Mwanza, Tanzania, and to examine the microbiome in relation to toxin levels. Two populations suspected to have high toxic metal exposures were studied. A group of 44 school-aged children was followed over 25 days, and 60 pregnant women were followed over their last two trimesters until birth. A yogurt containing 1010 CFU Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 per 250 g was administered, while control groups received either whole milk or no intervention. Changes in blood metal levels were assessed, and the gut microbiomes of the children were profiled by analyzing 16S rRNA sequencing via the Ion Torrent platform. The children and pregnant women in the study were found to have elevated blood levels of lead and mercury compared to age- and sex-matched Canadians. Consumption of probiotic yogurt had a protective effect against further increases in mercury (3.2 nmol/liter; P = 0.035) and arsenic (2.3 nmol/liter; P = 0.011) blood levels in the pregnant women, but this trend was not statistically significant in the children. Elevated blood lead was associated with increases in Succinivibrionaceae and Gammaproteobacteria relative abundance levels in stool. IMPORTANCE Probiotic food produced locally represents a nutritious and affordable means for people in some developing countries to counter exposures to toxic metals. Further research and field trials are warranted to explore this approach in countries where communities are located near mining sites and agricultural areas, two types of areas where toxins are likely to be elevated.

Treatment of maternal hyperthyroidism with antithyroid agents and changes in thyrotrophin and thyroxine in the newborn

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 186-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.-A. Lamberg ◽  
E. Ikonen ◽  
K. Teramo ◽  
G. Wägar ◽  
K. Österlund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Test ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Antithyroid Drug ◽  
Clinical Indication ◽  
Antithyroid Drugs ◽  
Serum Thyroxine ◽  
Antithyroid Agents ◽  
Serum Tsh

Abstract. Eleven pregnant women with concomitant hyperthyroidism were treated with antithyroid drugs. At monthly intervals serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were measured with radioimmunoassay, the Sephadex uptake of radioactive triiodothyronine (T3U) determined and the free T4 and T3 indices calculated (FT4I, FT3I). TSH-binding inhibiting immunoglobulins (TBII) were determined by the radiomembrane assay. Serum TSH and T4 were measured at delivery from cord blood and/or from the newborn infants some days after birth. Serum TSH was significantly elevated in one infant. There was an inadequate post-partal rise in serum T4 concentration in this child and in another who showed only a marginal elevation of TSH. The mothers of these infants were given carbimazole in doses of 30 and 25 mg/day, respectively, at the time of delivery. No significant changes were seen in other infants, the daily doses being 20 mg of carbimazole or less. There was no clinical indication of hypo- or hyperthyroidism in any of the newborn. The TBII were positive in most patients and there was a trend of normalization during treatment. No relationship between the dose of antithyroid drug and the level of TBII could be seen. During treatment the dose was adjusted according to the FT3I values. This seems to be an adequate laboratory test for this purpose.

Methodological Approaches to Evaluate Fetal Drug Exposure

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 496-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naïm Bouazza ◽  
Frantz Foissac ◽  
Déborah Hirt ◽  
Saïk Urien ◽  
Sihem Benaboud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Drug Exposure ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Analysis ◽  
Population Pharmacokinetic ◽  
Pbpk Models ◽  
Drug Concentrations ◽  
Fetal Drug Exposure

Background: Drug prescriptions are usual during pregnancy, however, women and their fetuses still remain an orphan population with regard to drugs efficacy and safety. Most xenobiotics diffuse through the placenta and some of them can alter fetus development resulting in structural abnormalities, growth or functional deficiencies. Methods: To summarize the different methodologies developed towards the prediction of fetal drug exposure. Results: Neonatal cord blood concentration is the most specific measurement of the transplacental drug transfer at the end of pregnancy. Using the cord blood and mother drug concentrations altogether, drug exchanges between the mother and fetus can be modeled and quantified via a population pharmacokinetic analysis. Thereafter, it is possible to estimate the fetus exposure and the fetus-to-mother exposure ratio. However, the prediction of placental transfer before any administration to pregnant women is desirable. Animal studies remain difficult to interpret due to structural and functional inter-species placenta differences. The ex-vivo perfusion of the human placental cotyledon is the method of reference to study the human placental transfer of drugs because it is thought to mimic the functional placental tissue. However, extrapolation of data to in vivo situation remains difficult. Some research groups have extensively worked on physiologically based models (PBPK) to predict fetal drug exposure and showed very encouraging results. Conclusion: PBPK models appeared to be a very promising tool in order to predict fetal drug exposure in-silico. However, these models mainly picture the end of pregnancy and knowledge regarding both, development of the placental permeability and transporters is strongly needed.

scholarly journals Sertraline concentrations in pregnant women are steady and the drug transfer to their infants is low

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Heinonen ◽  
M. Blennow ◽  
M. Blomdahl-Wetterholm ◽  
M. Hovstadius ◽  
J. Nasiell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Interindividual Variation ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Cytochrome P450 Enzyme ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
P450 Enzyme ◽  
Placental Passage

Abstract Purpose Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of the most commonly used antidepressant during pregnancy. Plasma sertraline concentrations vary markedly between individuals, partly explained by variability in hepatic drug metabolizing cytochrome P450-enzyme activity. Our purpose was to study the variability in the plasma concentrations in pregnant women and the passage to their infants. Method Pregnant women with moderate untreated depression were recruited in 2016–2019 in Stockholm Region and randomized to treatment with sertraline or placebo. All received Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy as non-medical treatment. Sertraline plasma concentrations were measured around pregnancy weeks 21 and 30, at delivery, 1-month postpartum, in cord blood and at 48 h of age in the infant. The clinical course of the infants was followed. Results Nine mothers and 7 infants were included in the analysis. Median dose-adjusted sertraline concentration in second trimester was 0.15(ng/mL) /(mg/day), in third trimester and at delivery 0.19 and 1-month postpartum 0.25, with a 67% relative difference between second trimester and postpartum. The interindividual variation was 10-fold. Median concentrations in the infants were 33% and 25% of their mothers’, measured in cord blood, and infant plasma, respectively. Only mild and transient adverse effects were seen on the infants. Conclusion Placental passage of sertraline to the infant is low. However, the interindividual variation in maternal concentrations during pregnancy is huge, why therapeutic drug monitoring might assist in finding the poor metabolizers at risk for adversity and increase the safety of the treatment. Trial registration The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov July 9, 2014 with TRN: NCT02185547.

Maternal understanding of commercial cord blood storage for their offspring - a survey among pregnant women in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 90 (9) ◽  
pp. 1005-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEPHEN SIK HUNG SUEN ◽  
TERENCE T LAO ◽  
OI KA CHAN ◽  
THOMAS KAM ON KOU ◽  
SAMMY CHUNG SUM CHAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Blood Storage

scholarly journals Biomarkers for a histological chorioamnionitis diagnosis in pregnant women with or without group B streptococcus infection: a case-control study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Ren ◽  
Zhe Qiang ◽  
Yuan-yuan Li ◽  
Jun-na Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Cord Blood ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Group B Streptococcus ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Chorioamnionitis may cause serious perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes, and group B streptococcus (GBS) is one of the most common bacteria isolated from human chorioamnionitis. The present study analyzed the impact of GBS infection and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) on pregnancy outcomes and the diagnostic value of various biomarkers. Methods Pregnant women were grouped according to GBS infection and HCA detection. Perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes were recorded with a follow-up period of 6 weeks. The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil ratio, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level from peripheral blood and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels from cord blood were assessed. Results A total of 371 pregnant women were included. Pregnant women with GBS infection or HCA had a higher risk of pathological jaundice and premature rupture of membranes and higher levels of sICAM-1, IL-8, and TNF-α in umbilical cord blood. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis revealed that sICMA-1, IL-8, TNF-α, WBC, and CRP were significantly related to an increased HCA risk. For all included pregnant women, TNF-α had the largest receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area (area: 0.841; 95% CI: 0.778–0.904) of the biomarkers analyzed. TNF-α still had the largest area under the ROC curve (area: 0.898; 95% CI: 0.814–0.982) for non-GBS-infected pregnant women, who also exhibited a higher neutrophil ratio (area: 0.815; 95% CI: 0.645–0.985) and WBC (area: 0.849; 95% CI: 0.72–0.978), but all biomarkers had lower value in the diagnosis of HCA in GBS-infected pregnant women. Conclusion GBS infection and HCA correlated with several perinatal and neonatal adverse outcomes. TNF-α in cord blood and WBCs in peripheral blood had diagnostic value for HCA in non-GBS-infected pregnant women but not GBS-infected pregnant women.

scholarly journals The potential of trace elements mapping in child’s natal tooth by laser ablation-ICPMS method

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneta Olszewska ◽  
Anetta Hanć
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Toxic Elements ◽  
Tooth Enamel ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Potentially Toxic Elements ◽  
Metal Exposure ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Distribution Of Trace Elements

Abstract Purpose Tooth enamel might provide past chronological metabolic, nutritional status and trace metal exposure during development. Thus, the trace elements distribution embedded in tooth tissues represents an archive of the environmental conditions. The choice of biomarker is estimated as critical to the measurement of metal exposure. Natal teeth are defined as teeth being present at birth. Methods LA-ICP-MS provides a quantitative assessment of spatial distribution of trace elements in a natal tooth. The objective of the current study was to compare concentrations of building and other elements in a rare but reliable and valid biomarker - natal tooth. Results It have been reported presence of potentially toxic elements: Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd, Ni distributed in prenatally and perinatally formed enamel and dentine. Conclusions Analyses of deciduous enamel can provide answers into individuals’ earliest development, including critical pre- and perinatal period.

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