title: Intrauterine exposure to low levels of lead: the status of the neonate.
abstract: It has been suggested that lead (Pb) at low exposure levels is a behavioral teratogen. Blood lead (Pb-B) was measured in 185 samples of maternal blood and in 162 samples of cord blood drawn from members of a cohort of mother-infant pairs. Routine newborn assessments, an examination for minor anomalies, the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment (NBAS), and part of the Graham/Rosenblith Behavioral Examination (G/R) were administered. Maternal and cord Pb-B correlated 0.80. In regression analyses, Apgar scores, birthweight, length, head circumference, neonatal anomalies, and seven behavioral scales were unrelated to either maternal or cord Pb-B. Three scales--the NBAS Abnormal Reflexes, the G/R Neurological Soft Sign, and the G/R Muscle Tonus Scales--were related minimally to either cord or maternal Pb-B. Because of the contrast in maternal and cord results, despite the high correlation of maternal and cord Pb-B, the data were reanalyzed for 132 cases with paired data. Only the Soft Sign Scale remained significant and that only for cord, but not maternal Pb-B. Regression analysis revealed a suppression with the Soft Sign Scale related to the variance of the cord Pb-B that was not common with maternal Pb-B. The possibility that the fetus under stress tends to accumulate Pb was considered.
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001034:Apgar Score; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000139:chemically induced; D012907:Smoking; D013723:Teratogens
chemical_list: D013723:Teratogens; D007854:Lead