Blood lead levels during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome in Karachi women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate association of blood lead levels with pregnancy outcome in the obstetrics and gynaecology unit.


METHODS
Blood lead levels were measured in 73 pregnant women at the time of delivery and assessed its association with pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
Mean maternal lead level was 9.91+/-4.44 mg/dL (range 2.28-36.35 mg/dL). Mothers of boys had significantly higher (p=0.013, one-tailed t test) blood lead levels (11.05+/-5.19) when compared to mothers of girls (8.74+/-3.18 mg/dL.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal lead levels at the time of delivery showed no association with gestational age, birth weight, recumbent length, or head circumference.
Rahman
A
A
Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi.
Hakeem
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A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012044:Regression Analysis
D007854:Lead