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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Bronchial Asthma | Research article

Maternal metal concentration during gestation and pediatric morbidity in children: an exploratory analysis

Authors: Isabella Karakis, Daniella Landau, Roni Gat, Nofar Shemesh, Ofir Tirosh, Maayan Yitshak-Sade, Batia Sarov, Lena Novack

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

The majority of studies linking exposure to metals with certain health outcomes focus on known toxic metals. Alternatively, this study assesses the extent to which exposure to a wider range of metals during gestation is associated with childhood morbidity.

Methods

We analyzed the concentrations of 25 metals found in urine samples of 111 pregnant women of Arab-Bedouin origin collected prior to birth. In addition, we collected medical records on their offspring for six years following birth, including every interaction with HMOs, local hospitals, and pharmacies.

Results

The main types of morbidities diagnosed and treated during this period were preterm births, malformations, asthma-like morbidity, cardiovascular and behavioral problems, and obesity. Multivariable analysis showed that offspring born before term were more likely to have been exposed to elevated maternal concentrations of zinc, thallium, aluminum, manganese, and uranium, all with adjusted relative risk above 1.40 for an increase by each quintile. Likewise, children with asthma had been exposed to higher levels of magnesium, strontium, and barium at gestation, while behavioral outcomes were associated with elevated biometals, i.e., sodium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, and zinc, as well as higher levels of lithium, cobalt, nickel, strontium, cadmium, vanadium, arsenic, and molybdenum. A heatmap of adjusted relative risk estimates indicates the considerable implications that exposure to metals may have for preterm birth and developmental outcomes.

Conclusions

The current study shows that perinatal exposure to metals is adversely associated with pediatric morbidity. Further such analyses on additional samples are warranted.

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Title: Maternal metal concentration during gestation and pediatric morbidity in children: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Isabella Karakis
Daniella Landau
Roni Gat
Nofar Shemesh
Ofir Tirosh
Maayan Yitshak-Sade
Batia Sarov
Lena Novack
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Bronchial Asthma
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-021-00963-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Maternal metal concentration during gestation and pediatric morbidity in children: an exploratory analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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