Perinatal exposure to heavy metals and birth outcomes

M. Niţescu, M. Nedelescu, A.M. Schiaua, N. Potra, A.A. Simionescu

Rezumat: In the last century, the industrial activities have caused a significant increase in human exposure to heavy metals. The most common metals that induce human poisonings are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Heavy metal poisoning (acute or chronic) may occur following exposure through air, water and food. The bioaccumulation of these heavy metals leads to a diversity of toxic effects on a variety of body tissues and organs. Heavy metals disrupt cellular events, including growth, proliferation, differentiation, damage-repairing processes and apoptosis. The aim of this article was to perform a literature review regarding the perinatal exposure to heavy metals, in particularly lead and mercury, and birth outcomes. We conducted a non-systematic analysis in PubMed with the following keywords: “lead” AND (OR) “mercury” AND (OR) “perinatal exposure” AND (OR) “birth outcomes”. Exposures to heavy metals like Pb and Hg have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, lower birth weight or neural tube defects. However, the knowledge on the effects at low levels of exposure of these elements still remains limited.
Cuvinte cheie: lead, mercury, prenatal exposure, preterm birth, lower birth weight.