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Abstract
Aim: To study mercury levels in hair from mothers and newborns in Surinam. Methods: Hair and urine was collected from thirty-nine mothers of different ethnicity and hair from their newborns. The women delivered in a large hospital in the capital. Mercury analysis was performed. Results: Fourteen (36%) of the mothers had elevated Hg concentrations in the hair as compared with a reference US population. Thirty-one newborns (80%) presented with a higher mercury level in hair than their mothers. A positive correlation existed between the hair levels of the mothers and their newborns. Urine Hg concentrations were not elevated. Conclusion: Mercury accumulates during pregnancy in the unborn. Further study is needed to elucidate the background and consequences of this finding.