TY - JOUR
T1 - Heavy metals in human amniotic fluid
T2 - A pilot study
AU - Caserta, D.
AU - Mantovani, A.
AU - Ciardo, F.
AU - Fazi, A.
AU - Baldi, M.
AU - Sessa, M. T.
AU - la Rocca, C.
AU - Ronchi, A.
AU - Moscarini, M.
AU - Minoia, C.
PY - 2011/8
Y1 - 2011/8
N2 - Objective: Many heavy metals are essential nutrients for a healthy life. However, significant evidence supports prolonged prenatal exposure as a risk factor for several adverse health effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of heavy metals in human amniotic fluid (AF) to demonstrate that there is an early fetal in utero exposure. Methods: The concentrations of a variety of heavy metals, including Be, Ag, Ba, Pb, U, Hg, Sr, Cu, Mn, V, Pd, Sn, Sb, Te, Pt, Sc, Tl, Ni, As, Co, Zn and Se, were measured in 25 AF samples obtained from amniocentesis between 15 and 18 weeks of gestational, after informed consent. Results: Be, Ag, Ba, Pb, U, Cu, Sr, Mn, V, Sn, Te, Pt, As, Tl, Sb, Co, Se and Zn concentrations were detected in measurable amounts in second trimester AF. Mg levels are elevated in all samples. Pd, Ni, Sc and Hg concentrations are below the detection limits in all samples. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that heavy metals pass into and accumulate in AF from a very early stage of gestation. Other studies are needed to evaluate the long-term health effects of this early exposure.
AB - Objective: Many heavy metals are essential nutrients for a healthy life. However, significant evidence supports prolonged prenatal exposure as a risk factor for several adverse health effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of heavy metals in human amniotic fluid (AF) to demonstrate that there is an early fetal in utero exposure. Methods: The concentrations of a variety of heavy metals, including Be, Ag, Ba, Pb, U, Hg, Sr, Cu, Mn, V, Pd, Sn, Sb, Te, Pt, Sc, Tl, Ni, As, Co, Zn and Se, were measured in 25 AF samples obtained from amniocentesis between 15 and 18 weeks of gestational, after informed consent. Results: Be, Ag, Ba, Pb, U, Cu, Sr, Mn, V, Sn, Te, Pt, As, Tl, Sb, Co, Se and Zn concentrations were detected in measurable amounts in second trimester AF. Mg levels are elevated in all samples. Pd, Ni, Sc and Hg concentrations are below the detection limits in all samples. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that heavy metals pass into and accumulate in AF from a very early stage of gestation. Other studies are needed to evaluate the long-term health effects of this early exposure.
KW - Amniotic fluid
KW - Environment
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Human health
KW - Prenatal exposure
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U2 - 10.1002/pd.2768
DO - 10.1002/pd.2768
M3 - Article
C2 - 21692088
AN - SCOPUS:79960558110
VL - 31
SP - 792
EP - 796
JO - Prenatal Diagnosis
JF - Prenatal Diagnosis
SN - 0197-3851
IS - 8
ER -