2008/10/01 by Lisa M. Cleveland, Monica L. Minter, Kathleen A. Cobb +2 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Nursing · Medicine · #Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity #Trace Elements in Health #Mercury impact and mitigation studies #Medicine #Lead poisoning #Miscarriage #Pregnancy #Lead exposure #Low birth weight #Blood lead level #Lead (geology) #Prenatal care #Pediatrics #Environmental health #Obstetrics #Population #Psychiatry
paper · doi:10.1097/01.naj.0000337736.76730.66
openalex publication_date 2008/10/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
In Brief Poor, urban, and immigrant populations are at far greater risk for lead exposure than are other groups in the United States. Children with even slightly elevated blood lead levels are at increased risk for significant neurobehavioral problems that can extend through adolescence. Research has shown that elevated blood lead levels in pregnant women, even those well below 10 micrograms per deciliter—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "level of concern"—can cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and subsequent developmental delays in their children. Despite these well-established dangers, routine prenatal lead screening and lead education is not a standard of care. Part 1 of this two-part article presents a short case example of a pregnant mother with lead poisoning and describes the epidemiology of lead exposure in the United States, the main sources of lead exposure, and the effects of lead on the pregnant mother and the developing fetus and child. Prevention is crucial. Treatment options such as chelation must be used selectively and will not reverse damage once it's occurred. Part 2 will describe recommendations for screening, education, nutrition, reducing environmental exposures, and treatment. Elevated blood lead levels in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays in their infants. Despite these well-established dangers, routine prenatal screening and education are not standard.