Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have known harmful effects on children's well-being. The object of this study was to measure the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, and Cd) in breast milk and ...infant hair, connected environmental factors, and the impact on infant growth and development at 8 months. Seventy-four breast milk samples and 46 infant hair samples were analyzed. Cd, Pb, and Hg were detected in 99%, 91%, and 87% of breast milk samples, respectively. Cd levels were higher in the hair of infants in extended families, living in older houses and when there was a maternal history of anemia and postpartum anemia. Hg levels in breast milk were higher in Denver II suspicious/abnormal infants than in Denver II normal infants. Further biomonitoring studies and preventive measures should be conducted to minimize exposure to toxic metals in early childhood period.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Hair analysis is a promising tool for routine clinical screening and diagnosis of heavy metal exposure and essential trace element status in the human body. Systemic intoxications have been ...identified by anomalously high values of toxins in hair samples. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between smoking habit of the family members and the levels of toxic and nontoxic trace elements in hair samples of children. The randomized cross-sectional controlled study comprised of 95 children (41 girls and 54 boys) between the ages of 1 and 6 years. After written informed consent was obtained, a face-to-face interview was conducted with the families about educational background, total income of the family, and smoking habits of family members. The mineral elements considered in this study were Zn, Se, B, V, Co, Mo, Mn, iron (Fe), Be, aluminum (Al), As, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), Hg, chromium (Cr), Ag, Be, nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), Sn, and antimony (Sb). Hair mineral contents were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The results showed that the levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Sb, Fe, and Al in hair samples of children whose parents smoked were significantly higher than those whose parents were nonsmokers. The number of smokers and the frequency of smoking at home were positively correlated with Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Sb levels found. At the same time, it was found that there was no correlation between toxic element concentrations and family income or educational background excluding the levels of Cd. A correlation was observed between the smoking status of family members and levels of toxic trace elements in hair where this correlation was more significant with the levels of Pb and Cd. High socioeconomic status and the level of education of family members did not have any effect on toxic trace levels in hair samples of children.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
In this study, the levels of boron (B), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) microelements in 16 hazelnut samples were determined ...by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy after microwave digestion, and are discussed for human nutrition and health. Significant differences were observed between the microelement contents of the 16 varieties (P < 0.01). The average microelements concentrations in the varieties varied in the following ranges: B, 13.63-23.87; Co, 0.47-0.82; Cr, 0.22-0.52; Cu, 16.23-32.23; Fe, 31.60-51.60; Li, 0.035-0.042; Ni, 0.58-2.58; Se, 0.96-1.39; and Zn, 22.03-44.03 mg/kg. These results showed that hazelnuts can be an important microelement source for human nutrition and health. According to our trace element data, a daily consumption of 50 g hazelnut can supply easily about 6% for B, 9% for Co, 19% for Fe, 9% for Ni and 16% for Zn of the recommended daily allowance. On the other hand, Se, Cu and Cr levels of 50 g hazelnuts are higher than the respective daily requirements, but slight overdoses of these elements are non-toxic for human health.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FSPLJ, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objectives: Phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) may pose a risk for human reproduction. Adverse effects of endocrine disturbing chemicals on animal ovaries have been proposed previously. This study was ...designed to measure the concentrations of phthalate diesters or their metabolites in serum to evaluate their relevance with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Methods: This study was designed as a cross sectional and case-control study. The study group consisted of 30 women diagnosed with POI whereas 30 healthy fertile women without any systemic diseases were recruited as a control group. The two groups were matched with respect to age and body mass index and tobacco smoking. Serum phthalate diesters and BPA levels were measured in both groups.
Results: The mean serum level of mono-buthyl phthalate (MBP) was statistically significantly higher in POI group than in control group (8.45 ± 4.2 vs. 5.0 ± 3.47 ng/mL, p < .001). Other serum phthalate metabolites and BPA concentrations were similar among the groups.
Conclusions: Serum levels of BPA and phthalate metabolites are increased in women diagnosed with POI. However, MBP is the most significant one among them. MBP may be a contributing risk factor in the development of POI.
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DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common malformations of the central nervous system (CNS). There is continuing research for the identification of risk factors and interventions for ...prevention of NTDs. The aim of this study was to investigate the maternal second trimester blood levels of selected heavy metals namely, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) and their possible relation with the occurrence of NTDs.
Methods: Twenty-one healthy second trimester pregnant women with fetuses affected with NTD (cases) were matched with 21 healthy pregnant women with unaffected fetuses (controls) with respect to age, body mass index (BMI), and gestational age. Maternal blood levels of heavy metals were measured after an overnight fasting period.
Results: No significant differences were observed in terms of maternal blood levels of As, Cd, Hg, and Ni between NTD-affected and unaffected pregnancies. The blood Pb and Mn levels were found to be higher in pregnant women with a fetus affected with NTD when compared with pregnant women with unaffected fetuses (for Pb, in cases 12.3 ± 5.5 µg/L, in controls 7.8 ± 2.4 µg/L; for Mn in cases 3.6 ± 1.4 µg/L, in controls 2.4 ± 1.0 µg/L, p < .05).
Conclusions: High maternal second trimester blood levels of Pb and Mn during pregnancy are associated with NTDs in the newborn.
Objective: Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) are environmental pollutants that are wide spread throughout the world. The present study aimed to investigate the level of exposure to Pb, Hg and ...Cd during the prenatal period, and the possible routes of maternal exposure to these toxic heavy metals.
Participants: The study included 123 mothers and their newborns. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery, and breast milk and newborn hair samples were collected between postpartum d 3 and 10.
Results: Among the 121 cord blood samples that were analyzed, Pb was present in 120 (99.2%) and the mean level was 1.66 ± 1.60 µg dL
−1
(range: <detection limit-12.50 µg dL
−1
), whereas Hg was noted in only 2 (1.7%) (15.74 and 33.20 µgL
−1
) and Cd was detected in 24 (19.8%) (range: < detection limit-6.71 µgL
−1
). The level of Pb in cord blood was ≥2 µg dL
−1
in 29% of the samples. Pb, Hg and Cd were detectable in all the newborn hair samples.
Discussion: Among the 107 breast milk samples analyzed, 89 (83.2%) had a detectable level of Pb and the mean level was 14.56 ± 12.13 µgL
−1
. Detection rate of Cd in breast milk was higher in women who resided near to city waste disposal site. Detection rate of Cd in cord blood was significantly higher in the women who consumed ≥2 servings of fish weekly. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) resulted in elevated levels of Pb and Cd in newborn hair samples.
Conclusion: Most of the study samples had detectable levels of Pb, Hg and Cd, indicating that there was long-term maternal exposure prior to and during pregnancy, and a considerable number of the cord and breast milk samples had levels that exceeded the present accepted safety level.
Trace Elements in Obese Turkish Children Tascilar, Mehmet Emre; Ozgen, Ilker Tolga; Abaci, Ayhan ...
Biological trace element research,
10/2011, Volume:
143, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
The quality of the diet of obese children is poor. Eating habits may alter micronutrient status in obese patients. In this study, we determined the serum levels of selenium, zinc, vanadium, ...molybdenum, iron, copper, beryllium, boron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, silver, barium, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, mercury, and lead in obese Turkish children. Thirty-four obese and 33 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum vanadium and cobalt levels of obese children were significantly lower than those of the control group (0.244 ± 0.0179 vs. 0.261 ± 0.012 μg/l,
p
< 0.001, and 0.14 ± 0.13 vs. 0.24 ± 0.15 μg/l,
p
= 0.011, respectively). There was no significant difference between groups regarding the other serum trace element levels. In conclusion, there may be alterations in the serum levels of trace elements in obese children and these alterations may have a role in the pathogenesis of obesity.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the breast milk at 2
months postpartum, (2) to investigate the relationship between Pb and Cd levels in ...breast milk and some sociodemographic parameters and (3) to detect whether these levels have any influence on the infant's physical status or on postpartum depression in the mothers. Pb and Cd levels in breast milk were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The median breast milk concentrations of Pb and Cd were 20.59 and 0.67
μg/l, respectively. In 125 (87%) of 144 samples, Pb levels were higher than the limit in breast milk reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) (>
5
μg/l). Breast milk Cd levels were >
1
μg/l in 52 (36%) mothers. The mothers with a history of anemia at any time had higher breast milk Pb levels than those without a history of anemia (21.1 versus 17.9
μg/l; p
=
0.0052). The median breast milk Cd levels in active and passive smokers during pregnancy were significantly higher than in non-smokers (0.89, 0.00
μg/l, respectively; p
=
0.023). The breast milk Cd levels of the mothers who did not use iron and vitamin supplements for 2
months postpartum were found to be higher than in those who did use the supplements (iron: 0.73, 0.00
μg/l, p
=
0.023; vitamin: 0.78, 0.00
μg/l, p
=
0.004, respectively). Breast milk Cd levels at the 2nd month were correlated negatively with the z scores of head circumference and the weight for age at birth (r
=
−
0.257, p
=
0.041 and r
=
−
0.251, p
=
0.026, respectively) in girls. We found no correlation between the breast milk Pb and Cd levels and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale scores. Breast milk monitoring programs should be conducted that have tested considerable numbers of women over time in view of the high levels of Pb in breast milk in this study.
► Breast milk Pb levels were higher than the advised safety limits. ► The mothers having history of anemia have higher Pb levels than those of have not. ► Breast milk Cd levels in non-smokers were lower than others. ► Breast milk Cd level was negatively correlated with HCZ and WAZ at birth in girls.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), an age-related disorder of the eye, is associated with significant ophthalmic morbidity and can lead to pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG). The etiology of this ...disorder has not been clearly understood. Trace elements have been suggested to have roles in the pathogenesis of several disorders. This study aimed to determine whether trace element levels have a role in the development of PEX and/or PEG. Levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and strontium (Sr) were determined in serum samples of 32 cases of PEX, 30 cases of PEG, and 32 control subjects using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Mn, Mo, and Hg concentrations were found to be significantly increased in patients with PEX. Logistic regression revealed Mn and Hg as the strongest determinants of PEX and Mo as the strongest determinant of PEG in the studied Turkish subjects. Levels of Mn, Cr, Co, Mo, Al, Hg, Sr, Ni, V, and As were determined for the first time in these ophthalmological disorders. Increased levels of serum Mn, Mo, and Hg suggest a possible role of these elements in the pathobiology of PEX.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
We aimed to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the breast milk; to assess the effect of detectable OCPs on maternal-infant characteristics and; to evaluate the relation ...between OCPs and the maternal psychopathologies Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and infant growth. DDT, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), aldrin and heptachlor were detected in 89.3, 70.7, 58.7 and 34.7 % of the samples, respectively. Mothers with low monthly family income had detectable DDTs less frequently. The frequencies of detectable heptachlor epoxide were significantly higher in mothers with gestational nausea. Anaemic mothers had more frequently detectable alpha-HCH. Z scores of head circumference were inversely correlated with beta-HCH and DDT levels. The heptachlor epoxide levels were positively correlated with PBQ, MIBS and indexes of BSI. No relation was detected between EPDS and OCPs. Further studies are needed for changes in maternal psychopathologies.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
