title: Postnatal growth following prenatal lead exposure and calcium intake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects on postnatal growth of maternal exposure to low levels of lead during pregnancy have not been well established. In addition, information is limited regarding the protective effect of dietary calcium intake during pregnancy against the effect of lead for fetal and postnatal growth. We investigated the relationship between prenatal exposure to lead and growth at birth and 6, 12, and 24 months postnatal, and evaluated the role of calcium intake against the effect of lead.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1150 pregnant women, and their subsequent offspring, enrolled in a prospective birth cohort study (Mothers and Children's Environmental Health Study), were evaluated. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to estimate the effects of prenatal maternal blood lead levels on growth at each follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The blood lead levels of participating mothers were <5.0 μg/dL and mean levels were 1.25 μg/dL during the early (before 20 gestational weeks) and late (at delivery) gestational periods. Prenatal exposure to lead, particularly in late pregnancy, was significantly associated with a reduction in infantile growth at 24 months. When pregnant women had dietary calcium intake at mean or upper level, the association was not significant. In contrast, lower than mean level of calcium intake intensified the adverse effect of prenatal lead exposure on growth in children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prenatal lead exposure <5.0 μg/dL adversely affects postnatal growth and low calcium intake aggravates the effect, indicating more stringent control of lead and sufficient intake of calcium are necessary to help children's health.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Medical Research Center.
authors.forename: Yun-Chul
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Departments of Preventive Medicine, and.
authors.forename: Surabhi Shah
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Medical Research Center, Environmental Health Center and.
authors.forename: Youn-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Departments of Preventive Medicine, and.
authors.forename: Eunjeong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Departments of Preventive Medicine, and.
authors.forename: Hyesook
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: Yangho
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and Institute of Human Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: Bung-Nyun
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: Namsoo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; and.
authors.forename: Se-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea;
authors.forename: Young-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environment Research, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chooghee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Departments of Preventive Medicine, and eunheeha@ewha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Eun-hee
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ha
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D007854:Lead
keywords: growth; lead exposure; postnatal; prenatal