Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Birth Weight of Mercury Concentrations of Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood in Pregnant Women

산모혈액 및 태아 제대혈액의 수은 농도에 따른 출생 시 체중에 관한 연구

  • Kim, Byung-Mi (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Kim, Dae-Seon (Environmental Epidemiology Division, Environmental Risk Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Lee, Jong-Hwa (Environmental Epidemiology Division, Environmental Risk Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research) ;
  • Park, Hye-Sook (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Kim, Young-Ju (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Seo, Ju-Hee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Chang, Moon-Hee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University) ;
  • Ha, Eun-Hee (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University)
  • 김병미 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 이화의학그로발첼린지 사업단) ;
  • 김대선 (국립환경과학원 환경건강연구부 환경역학과) ;
  • 이종화 (국립환경과학원 환경건강연구부 환경역학과) ;
  • 박혜숙 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 이화의학그로발첼린지 사업단) ;
  • 김영주 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 산부인과학교실) ;
  • 서주희 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 이화의학그로발첼린지 사업단) ;
  • 장문희 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 이화의학그로발첼린지 사업단) ;
  • 하은희 (이화여자대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 이화의학그로발첼린지 사업단)
  • Published : 2008.02.28
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Abstract

We evaluated the relationship between birth weight and mercury exposure levels in Seoul, Korea, by following a cohort of pregnant women and the outcomes of their pregnancies between 2001-2005. Eighty-five pregnant women were recruited into this study after obtaining informed consent. Samples were collected at delivery from normal pregnant women who were living in the city of Seoul, Korea. Mercury concentrations in 85 sets of maternal and cord blood samples were measured using a gold-amalgam collection method. We used multiple regression analysis to analyze the effect of mercury exposure on birth weight. The mean levels of total mercury concentrations were 5.41(ppb) in maternal blood of pregnant women and 3.58(ppb) in umbilical cord blood. The mean concentration of umbilical cord blood mercury exposures was higher than the level recommended by WHO. There was a significant correlation between maternal and cord blood mercury concentrations. Mercury concentrations of umbilical cord blood was associated with birth weight. In addition, after adjusting for potential confounding factors, we found that mercury exposure may reduce the birth weight. This study suggests that exposure to mercury concentration during pregnancy contributes to the risk of low birth weight. Therefore, prenatal and environmental education for various and possible sources of mercury exposure might be necessary for the good health of babies. The finding of this study supports the construction of national policy for environmental health management.

Keywords

References

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