EFFECTS OF SUBTOXIC LEAD LEVELS ON PREGNANT-WOMEN IN STATE OF MISSOURI

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (2) , 309-331
Abstract
Cords, placentas, placental membranes and maternal and fetal blood were collected from 249 women delivered in Columbia, Missouri USA (region I) and from 253 women delivered in Rolla, Missouri (region II), near Pb mining areas. The incidence of term pregnancies with early membrane rupture was 0.41% in region I and 17% in region II. The incidence of premature deliveries was 3% and 13.04%, respectively. Pb concentration in blood and placental tissues of term pregancies revealed no significant changes. In term with early membrane rupture, blood Pb concentration was higher, as was the case in placental tissues and cord. Pb concentration was highest in membrane tissues, in .mu.g/100 g (regions I and II, respectively): placenta, 6.0 .+-. 0.01 and 7.0 .+-. 0.03; cord, 11.0 .+-. 0.34 and 12.0 .+-. 0.18; membrane, 38.9 .+-. 2.64 and 45.3 .+-. 3.12. A high positive correlation (r = 0.2941) between lead concentration in maternal and fetal blood existed. Both were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in preterm pregnancies and early membrane ruptures than in term pregnancies. Subtoxic Pb levels could increase the incidence of early membrane rupture and premature deliveries.