Blood lead levels during pregnancy and pregnancy outcome in Karachi women

ABSTRACT

To evaluate association of blood lead levels with pregnancy outcome in the obstetrics and gynaecology unit. Blood lead levels were measured in 73 pregnant women at the time of delivery and assessed its association with pregnancy outcome. Mean maternal lead level was 9.91+4.44 mg/dL [range 2.28 - 36.35 mg/dL]. Mothers of boys had significantly higher [p=0.013, one-tailed t test] blood lead levels [11.05+5.19] when compared to mothers of girls [8.74+3.18 mg/dL. Maternal lead levels at the time o delivery showed no association with gestational age, birth weight, recumbent length, or head circumference