Assessment of Lead Levels in Maternal Blood Samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Influence of Maternal Blood Lead on Newborns

摘要

Since fetal exposure to lead begins at the 21st week of pregnancy, the fetus is at high risk from maternal lead exposure. Although the placenta, an interface between the developing fetus and the mother, has mechanisms that restrict the entry of toxicants, it cannot protect die fetus from exposure to lead from the mother's blood. Even low-level lead poisoning causes neuro-developmental toxicity in children including mild mental retardation, low intelligence quotients (IQ) and attention span, reading and learning disabilities, hyperactivity and behavioral problems. Also, lead exposure during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk for abortions, premature births and prenatal deaths.