Evaluating the Relationship between Early Pregnancy Maternal Blood Lead Levels and neonatal anthropometric indices and Apgar scores

Low values of neonates’ anthropometric indices are considered as an important factor in increased neonatal mortality. This research tried to examine the relationship between early pregnancy blood lead levels of pregnant women and their neonates’ anthropometric indices at birth. This longitudinal prospective study was carried out on 1033 pregnant women referred to prenatal clinics in Tehran. Upon entry into the study, a blood sample was taken to determine lead levels, and a demographic questionnaire was filled out for all participants and they were followed up with routine prenatal care till delivery. Anthropometric indices were extracted from the neonatal cards. In statistical analysis, p-values<0.05 were considered significant. The mean blood lead levels in mothers were 4.7 ± 4.9 μg/dl. Considering the results obtained by Spearman’s correlation, there was a significant negative relationship between blood lead levels of mothers and 5-minute Apgar scores (p=0.002, r=0.09). However, no significant relationship between blood lead levels and other indices was found. To evaluate the true effects of maternal blood lead levels and potentially effective factors on anthropometric indices, in linear regression analysis, only gestational age at delivery had a significant relationship with all anthropometric indices and 5-minute Apgar score of neonates (p<0.01). The results showed that early pregnancy maternal blood lead levels were not related to anthropometric indices at birth, and the only important factor for improvement of neonates’ anthropometric indices, was higher gestational age at the time of delivery.