Content of selected heavy metals in the umbilical cord blood and anthropometric data of mothers and newborns in Poland: preliminary data

Abstract

The ability to accumulate metals in organs and tissues leads to disturbances in the physiological functioning of the body, causing oxidative stress. This negatively affects the functioning of the placenta and may result in miscarriages, premature birth and fetal growth disorders. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between the levels of selected heavy metals in umbilical cord blood and anthropometric parameters of mothers and the newborns. Content of elements in umbilical cord blood has been assessed by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The study results were collected and statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (PS IMAGO). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test for associations between selected variables. Regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of anthropometric parameters of studied women and newborns. The study group consisted of women aged 19–41, whose pregnancy was uncomplicated and were not exposed to heavy metals due to their work or smoking. The following metals were identified in all collected cord blood samples: lead (26.25 ± 9.32 µg/L), zinc (2025.24 ± 717.83 µg/L), copper (749.85 ± 203.86 µg/L), manganese (32.55 ± 13.58 µg/L), chromium (8.34 ± 2.16 µg/L) and selenium (158.46 ± 41.58 µg/L). The conducted statistical analysis indicated the relationship between the copper content in the umbilical cord blood and the weight gain of pregnant women. A significant relationship was observed between newborn head circumference and chromium content. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between the content of zinc and copper, manganese and lead, manganese and selenium, lead and selenium, and lead and chromium in umbilical cord blood. The ratio of zinc to copper concentrations was related to neonatal head circumference. Weight gain in pregnant women is positively correlated with the copper level in umbilical cord blood. There is an association between head circumference at birth and the chromium concentration in umbilical cord blood. Copper and zinc levels in umbilical cord blood are positively correlated with head circumference at birth.