Evidence that birth weight is decreased by maternal lead levels below 5 myg/dl in male newborns

摘要

To assess the association between birth weight and maternal blood lead (BPb) levels, 386 pregnant women and their newborn offspring were surveyed. MeaniSD (range) maternal BPb concentrations were 0.98 +-0.55 (0.10-3.99), 0.92 +-0.63 [<0.09 (limit of quantiflcation)-3.96], and 0.99 +-0.66 (<0.09-3.96) mug/dl at 12, 25 and 36 weeks' gestation, respectively. Mean+-SD (range) gestational age at delivery was 38.9 +-1.3 (35-41) weeks. In male newborns, a significant correlation between birth weight and logBPb at 12 weeks' gestation was observed (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = -0.145, p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis indicated that birth weight was significantly inversely associated with logBPb at 12 weeks' gestation, controlling for possible confounding variables. These results suggest that low-level exposure to lead in early gestation could be a risk factor for reduced birth weight in male offspring.