Webinar: The association between prenatal exposure to heavy metals and newborns anthropometric measures
The BGU Department of Public Health organized the 1st network webinar on the association between…
CHILDREN_FIRST Network Webinar Series 2023
The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Department of Public Health organized the 1st network webinar on the Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Heavy Metals and Newborns’ Anthropometric measures by Tal Michael MPH, MD/ Ph.D. Candidate, BGU.
Abstract: Prenatal exposure to heavy metals and their mixtures has been linked to alterations in newborn anthropometric measures, including anogenital distance (AGD), which is considered sensitive to intrauterine exposures. Our studies conducted in Israel investigated the association between maternal urine samples and newborn AGD, as well as anthropometric measures. Eight metals were examined in our studies – including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, nickel, selenium, and thallium. While our findings suggested relatively low levels of metals in maternal urine, chromium was negatively associated with birth weight and length as well as associated with increased anogenital measures. Birth weight was also negatively associated with thallium and positively associated with nickel. The findings highlight the importance of investigating the reproductive developmental effects of prenatal metal exposures, as well as the need for further exploration of metal exposure during pregnancy.
