Volume 28, Issue 6 (1-2026)
J Arak Uni Med Sci 2026, 28(6): 477-484 |
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Karimi B, Shekarpour Roudbari M, Vakilian K, Ghanadzadeh M J, Mahlouji M. Association between Urinary Concentrations of Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic, Chromium, Nickel, and Zinc) in Pregnant Women in Arak City and the Risk of Low Birth Weight, SGA, and LGA in Newborns. J Arak Uni Med Sci 2026; 28 (6) :477-484
URL: http://jams.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-8028-en.html
URL: http://jams.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-8028-en.html
Behrooz Karimi1 
, Maryam Shekarpour Roudbari2 , Katayoun Vakilian3 , Mohammad Javad Ghanadzadeh4 , Marjan Mahlouji5
, Maryam Shekarpour Roudbari2 , Katayoun Vakilian3 , Mohammad Javad Ghanadzadeh4 , Marjan Mahlouji5
1- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran , karimibehroz@yahoo.com
2- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
3- Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
4- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
5- Student Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
2- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
3- Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
4- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
5- Student Research Committee, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Abstract: (350 Views)
Introduction: Exposure to heavy metals during pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for both the mother and fetus. This study aimed to examine the impact of maternal exposure to heavy metals on pregnancy outcomes.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 pregnant women in Arak between 2023 and 2024. Urine samples were collected from 127 participants before 28 weeks of gestation and from 143 participants after 28 weeks until delivery. The concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and zinc, were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a method known for its high accuracy, precision, and reproducibility in simultaneous element measurement. Birth weight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants were assessed. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and birth weight after adjusting for confounding factors such as maternal age, body mass index, education, and smoking status. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between metal concentrations and the likelihood of SGA and LGA outcomes
Results: The mean concentration of lead in maternal urine decreased from 0.7 to 0.65 µg/L, while mercury increased from 1.95 to 2.7 µg/L. Cadmium levels remained stable at 0.46 µg/L. Higher concentrations of lead, cadmium, and nickel were significantly associated with lower birth weight (Beta for lead: -34.0, P = 0.002; cadmium: -21, P = 0.005; nickel: -44, P = 0.01) and increased risk of SGA (OR for lead: 1.04, P = 0.03; cadmium: 1.03, P = 0.042; nickel: 1.12, P = 0.03). Mercury and zinc were linked to a higher likelihood of LGA (OR for mercury: 1.07, P = 0.018; zinc: 1.011, P = 0.012). No significant associations were observed for arsenic and chromium.
Conclusions: Exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as SGA and reduced birth weight. These findings underscore the need for biomonitoring of heavy metal exposure, maternal education for at-risk populations, and policy measures to mitigate industrial pollution.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 pregnant women in Arak between 2023 and 2024. Urine samples were collected from 127 participants before 28 weeks of gestation and from 143 participants after 28 weeks until delivery. The concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel, and zinc, were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a method known for its high accuracy, precision, and reproducibility in simultaneous element measurement. Birth weight, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants were assessed. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and birth weight after adjusting for confounding factors such as maternal age, body mass index, education, and smoking status. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the association between metal concentrations and the likelihood of SGA and LGA outcomes
Results: The mean concentration of lead in maternal urine decreased from 0.7 to 0.65 µg/L, while mercury increased from 1.95 to 2.7 µg/L. Cadmium levels remained stable at 0.46 µg/L. Higher concentrations of lead, cadmium, and nickel were significantly associated with lower birth weight (Beta for lead: -34.0, P = 0.002; cadmium: -21, P = 0.005; nickel: -44, P = 0.01) and increased risk of SGA (OR for lead: 1.04, P = 0.03; cadmium: 1.03, P = 0.042; nickel: 1.12, P = 0.03). Mercury and zinc were linked to a higher likelihood of LGA (OR for mercury: 1.07, P = 0.018; zinc: 1.011, P = 0.012). No significant associations were observed for arsenic and chromium.
Conclusions: Exposure to heavy metals is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as SGA and reduced birth weight. These findings underscore the need for biomonitoring of heavy metal exposure, maternal education for at-risk populations, and policy measures to mitigate industrial pollution.
Type of Study: Original Atricle |
Subject:
Obstetrics & Gynocology
Received: 2025/05/28 | Accepted: 2025/06/25
Received: 2025/05/28 | Accepted: 2025/06/25
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