Increased blood lead and decreased calcium levels during pregnancy: A prospective study of Swedish women living near a smelter

B.J. Lagerkvist, S. Ekesrydh, V. Englyst, G. Nordberg, H.-A. Söderberg and D.-E. Wiklund

American Journal of Public Health, 1996, vol. 86, issue 9, 1247-1252

Abstract: Objectives. The purpose of this study was to monitor blood lead in a northern Swedish cohort of mothers and children during pregnancy and at birth. Methods. Blood lead was analyzed during pregnancy and in the umbilical cords of 290 women living near a smelter and in 194 control subjects. Results. During pregnancy, there were statistically significant overall increases in blood lead concentrations by 20%, and 15% in the smelter and reference areas, respectively. Mean maternal blood lead concentrations at delivery were 0.15 μmol/L (3.11 μg/dL) in the smelter area and 0.13 μmol/L (2.69 μg/dL) in the control area. Umbilical cord blood lead levels were 80% to 87% of the maternal levels. Blood lead levels were influenced by place of residence, employment at the smelter, smoking, and wine consumption. Maternal serum calcium levels decreased during pregnancy and were significantly lower than those of the newborns. Conclusions. An increase in blood lead concentrations was found during pregnancy, despite increased blood volume and unchanged or decreasing environmental lead levels. The mobilization of lead from bone during pregnancy may explain the increase.

Date: 1996
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1996:86:9:1247-1252_1

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().