Amniotic fluid, lead levels

Dawson, Earl B., Douglas R. Evans, Randall Kelly, et al. 2000. Blood Cell Lead, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels Associated with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and Preeclampsia. Biological Trace Element Research 74 107-116. Dawson, Earl B., Douglas R. Evans, and John Nosovitch. 1999. Third-Trimester Amniotic Fluid Metal Levels Associated with Preeclampsia. Archives of Environmental Health 54 412—415. 

The effect of alcohol consumption leading to the development of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has been investigated by the proteomic analysis of amniotic fluid of mice. In mice with FAS, the level of alpha fetoprotein is reduced markedly, which may be used as a biomarker of FAS. 

As to other prenatal effects, lead certainly appears toxic to the fetus, although intrauterine exposure is generally believed to be at a low level. In a study by Barltrop (1969) only about 300/tg of lead was found in the fetus at term. Measurements of lead in amniotic fluid show a concentration of less than 20 ng/100 ml, i.e. below the limits of detection for the analytical method used (Kubasik and Volosin, 1972). However, lead is shown to be present in the fetus at all stages of development, and this may be of greater importance than the presence of a given load at term. The distribution of radiolabelled lead in embryonic animals indicates that all major organ systems are exposed (Carpenter, 1974). 

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