Significance of Maternal Plasma Lead Level in Early Pregnancy Loss

This study was undertaken to investigate the relation of plasma lead levels, and early pregnancy losses. The concentration of lead in the plasma was measured in 20 women with a history of pregnancy loss before the 20th gestational week, and the results were compared with 20 control patients with viable intrauterine pregnancy. The results showed a mean lead level of 18.8 μg/dL in the cases of pregnancy loss and 22.1 μg/dL in the control patients, thereby indicating that there is no significant relation between early pregnancy loss and maternal plasma lead levels.

Key Words:

• Lead toxicity
• Spontaneous abortion
• Plasma lead level
• Miscarriage

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Istanbul University, Turkey.

Notes

*Normal and limit values of the parameters studied are as follows: glucose: 70–110 mg/dL; Toxoplasma IgG: Negative: < 30 U/mL, Grey Zone: 30–35 U/mL, Positive: > 35 U/mL; Toxoplasma IgM: Negative: < 0.9 AI, Grey Zone: 0.9–1.1 AI, Positive: > 1.1 AI; Rubella IgG:Negative: < 8 U/mL, Grey Zone: 8–15 U/mL, Positive: > 15 U/mL; Rubella IgM: Negative: < 0.9 AI, Grey Zone: 0.9–1.1 AI, Positive: > 1.1 AI; CMV IgG: Negative: < 9 U/mL, Grey Zone: 9–11 U/mL, Positive: > 11 U/mL; CMV IgM: Negative: < 9 U/mL, Grey Zone: 9–11 U/mL, Positive: > 11 U/mL; HbsAg: Negative control: 0.103 O.D, Positive control: 2.787 O.D, Cut-Off: 0.128 O.D; Anti HBs: vacination limit > 10 U/mL; HSV IgG: Negative: < 1.085 U/mL; HSV IgM: Negative: < 0.929 O.D.