CADMIUM LEVELS IN MATERNAL, CORD AND NEWBORN BLOOD IN MEXICO-CITY

Blood samples were withdrawn from n = 49 mothers and their children at -the moment of birth to assess blood cadmium levels of the mother, the newborn and the cord. A questionnaire was applied to the mothers in o rder to obtain data about possible sources of cadmium exposure. Matern al blood cadmium was found significantly correlated (r(2) = 0.578) wit h cord blood cadmium levels, while cord blood was correlated (r(2) = 0 .499) with newborn blood cadmium. Nevertheless, maternal blood cadmium and newborn blood cadmium were not correlated at all (r(2) = 0.047). Previous smoking habits of the mother increased maternal blood cadmium concentrations significantly, but it did not modify cadmium concentra tions of either the cord or the newborn. The latter result suggests th e existence of a placental barrier for cadmium. Birthweight was found to be inversely associated (P < 0.06) only with cord blood cadmium lev els. The results of the study suggest that cord blood cadmium holds in formation about both maternal and newborn cadmium status and also abou t cadmium effects on birthweight. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Lt d.