PEDIATRICS Vol. 89 No. 6 June 1992, pp. 1010-1015
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Prenatal Exposure to Heavy Metals: Effect on Childhood Cognitive Skills and Health Status

Michael Lewis PhD1, John Worobey PhD2, Douglas S. Ramsay PhD1, and Michael K. McCormack PhD3

1 From the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ.
2 From the Cook College, Rutgers-The State University, New Brunswick, NJ.
3 From the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick; University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-SOM, Camden, NJ.

Prenatal exposure to seven heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, nickel, and silver) was determined for amniotic fluid taken from 92 pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis at approximately 16 to 18 weeks' gestation. Follow-up assessment of their children's cognitive skills and health status was conducted when the children were approximately 3 years of age. The presence of these metals co-occurred in amniotic fluid. A prenatal toxic risk score was derived which was a weighted score reflecting the presence of the various metals in amniotic fluid. The toxic risk score was negatively related to performance on the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities and positively related to the number of child illnesses reported. These results suggest the need for further prospective research on the adverse effects of prenatal exposure to various metals in combination.

Key Words: behavioral teratology • heavy metals • cognitive development • health

Submitted on June 24, 1991
Accepted on October 15, 1991


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