title: Infant and mother related outcomes from exposure to metals with endocrine disrupting properties during pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endocrine-related adverse health effects from exposure to heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are yet to be adequately described. The purpose of this review was to gain insight into maternal exposure to heavy metals, and to identify potential endocrine-related adverse health effects in the mother and the infant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant databases were searched for original research reports and a total of 46 articles were retained for scrutiny. Required data was extracted from these studies and their methodology was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Impaired fetal growth was observed from exposure to all endocrine disrupting metals, while exposure to lead and arsenic were associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and neonatal deaths. Maternal exposure to arsenic was associated with impaired glucose tolerance in these mothers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Impaired fetal growth, fetal loss, and neonatal deaths were significantly associated with heavy metals exposure during pregnancy; however, hypertension and gestational diabetes require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kumarathasan
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. Electronic address: jgomes@uottawa.ca.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Endocrine disrupting chemicals; Fetal health; Heavy metals; Maternal health