engleski

Exposure to mercury and intake of selenium in a cohort of parturient women in Zagreb, Croatia

Women of childbearing age, including periods of gestation and lactation, are vulnerable population group for ill effects of metals and metalloids due to specific physiological features that result in increased metal bioaccumulation in the body. Mercury in all its forms is considered a potent neurotoxicant. Especially dangerous is exposure during early brain development that may affect neurodevelopment immediately or prompt various delayed neurobehavioral effects. Our investigation aimed at assessing exposure to mercury and its interaction with selenium through food in healthy parturient women and their newborn infants at delivery. We collected relevant data on subjects with a questionnaire and took blood samples from 196 healthy women (average 29 years) who gave vaginal birth at term in a clinical hospital in Zagreb. We measured concentrations of total mercury (by AAS) in paired samples of maternal venous and umbilical cord blood, and of selenium (by ICP-MS) in maternal and umbilical cord serum. The data were statistically analysed against dietary habits. The subjects were divided into four categories according to reported dietary fish consumption: no fish in diet, <1, 1, >1 fish serving per week. In these subgroups, mercury concentrations in maternal and cord blood, and selenium concentrations in maternal and cord serum increased linearly with increased intake of fish. Average mercury concentration in maternal blood significantly correlated with fish and shellfish intake. Fish and seafood are the most common sources of exposure in general population to both microelements: toxic mercury (in the form of methylmercury) and selenium, an essential micronutrient with antioxidant and detoxifying effects against mercury. We observed no effects on the general health of newborn, assessed by birth weight, length and Apgar scoring. In conclusion, our results present new evidence on maternal and perinatal exposure to mercury and its interaction with selenium through common diet.

blood mercury; serum selenium; element analysis

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