Correlation between blood mercury levels in mothers and newborns in Itaituba, Pará State, Brazil.
This study evaluated transplacental mercury transfer by measuring Hg in blood samples of mothers and newborns (umbilical cord) in hospitals in the municipality (county) of Itaituba, Pará State, Brazil. Epidemiological and mercury exposure data were collected, besides clinical birth data. Mercury tests were performed by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A total of 1,510 women and an equal number of their newborns participated in the study. Mean blood mercury was 11.53 microg/L in mothers and 16.68 microg/L in newborns (umbilical cord). The highest Hg levels were in the 31-40-year maternal age group and their newborns, with 14.37 microg/L and 21.87 microg/L, respectively. However, in all age groups the mean mercury level was higher in newborns than in mothers. There was a strong positive correlation between Hg levels in newborns and mothers (r = 0.8019; p = 0.000), with a significant linear regression model (r = 0.5283; p = 0.000). The results highlight the importance of monitoring pregnant women exposed to mercury as part of public health surveillance.
Seção de Meio Ambiente, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Brasil. elisabethsantos@iec.pa.gov.br
Elisabeth Oliveira
EO
Santos
Iracina Maura de
IM
Jesus
Volney de Magalhães
Vde M
Câmara
Edílson da Silva
Eda S
Brabo
Maria Izabel de
MI
Jesus
Kleber Freitas
KF
Fayal
Carmen Ildes Rodrigues Fróes
CI
Asmus
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007229:Infant Welfare; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood*; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D008628:Mercury