Exposure to toxic metals during pregnancy and overall weight-growth characteristics of the Newborn: Survey results in Moscow Region

A human biomonitoring survey of 120 women in birth from six maternity hospitals of Moscow region was carried out on a standard methodology of the World Health Organization. Prenatal exposure to lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic was characterized by low levels: the geometric mean for mercury in maternal hair was 0.21 μg/g; for mercury in umbilical cord blood - 0.89 μg/l; for mercury in maternal urine - 0.27 μg/l, which correspond approximately to the levels in European countries with a relatively low consumption of fish. The average content of lead in cord blood was equal to 7.96 μg/L, and the total arsenic and cadmium in concentrations in the urine - 0.20 μg/L and 21.9 μg/L respectively. Of all toxic metals were established direct and significant associations between lead in cord blood and newborn's weight and height, and negative - between lead in cord blood and cephalization index. Weight and growth characteristics of newborns were also significantly influenced by gestational age, b