title: Amniotic fluid B12, calcium, and lead levels associated with neural tube defects.
abstract: The group mean differences and relationships between folate, B12, calcium, lead, and methionine levels in amniotic fluid from 29 non-NTD and 11 NTD pregnancies (15-20 weeks' gestation age) were determined. The study population was predominantly Hispanic in both groups (48% in non-NTD and 36% in NTD group) with an average maternal age of 29 years in the non-NTD group and 24 years in the NTD group; and, an average gestation age of 18.5 weeks in the non-NTD and 17.5 weeks in the NTD group. The folate, B12, lead, calcium, and methionine levels of the two groups were compared by Student's t-test and by Pearson's correlation. The NTD levels were lower for calcium (p< or =0.0001), B12 (p< or =0.001), and methionine (P< or =0.001); but, the lead level was higher (p< or =0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between lead and both B12 (p< or =0.007) and methionine (p< or =0.02).
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 77555-0587, USA.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Van Hook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008423:Maternal Age; D008715:Methionine / Q000032:analysis; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007854:Lead; D005492:Folic Acid; D008715:Methionine; D014805:Vitamin B 12; D002118:Calcium