Geophagy during pregnancy: Is there a health risk for infants?
Prenatal lead exposure is a public health concern. Geophagy, the practice of soil eating, is documented for pregnant women of sub-Saharan Africa to treat pregnancy-related malaise. The soils however can contain substantial amounts of lead. In an exploratory study on 48 mother-child pairs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we found striking site-specific differences in prenatal lead exposure, i.e., higher lead levels at Kisangani than at Isiro. Kisangani women consumed 1/ more often soil during the first trimester of pregnancy as well as 2/ a different type of soil compared to Isiro women (P<0.05). We conclude geophagy may be a potential source of prenatal lead exposure.
Institute of Medical Genetics, Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Claudia
C
Gundacker
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: ruth.kutalek@meduniwien.ac.at.
Ruth
R
Kutalek
Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Rosina
R
Glaunach
Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Coloman
C
Deweis
Institute of Medical Genetics, Center of Pathobiochemistry and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Markus
M
Hengstschläger
Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Armin
A
Prinz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D008875:Middle Aged; D010842:Pica / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead
Africa; Geophagy; Lead; Pregnant women; Risk; Soil consumption