Abstract
The levels in placenta of 26 elements (F, Na, Mg, Al, S, CI, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Rb, Mo, Cd, I, Ba, Hg and Pb) of known or potential biochemical activity have been measured for 79 randomly selected live births from Merseyside and Blackpool in north-west England. Statistically significant negative correlations with birthweight have been found for Pb, Cd and possibly F, with corresponding positive correlations for the nutritionally essential elements Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Cu and Zn: the strongest correlation was with placental zinc. Broadly similar but somewhat weaker significant elemental correlations were found for head circumference, gestational age and placental weight. The implications for prenatal care are discussed.