%0 Journal Article
%T Lead Level in Pregnant Women Suffering from Pre-eclampsia in Dakahlia, Egypt
%A SM Motawei
%A SM Attalla
%A HE Gouda
%A MA El-Harouny
%J International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
%D 2013
%I National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Health Organization
%X Background: Lead toxicity is a prevalent health problem in both developed and developing countries. One of the proposed mechanisms for lead-induced organ damage is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is well-associated with the pregnancy disorder, pre-eclampsia. Exposure to lead may be one of the sources of the oxidative stress that leads to development of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. Objective: To test if blood lead level of pregnant women suffering from pre-eclampsia is higher than the normal limit. Methods: Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, blood lead level was measured in 115 pregnant women suffering from pre-eclampsia and compared to its level in a comparison group of 25 healthy pregnant women in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Results: The mean¡ÀSD blood lead level was 37.68¡À9.17 ¦Ìg/dL in women with pre-eclampsia; the value in the comparison group was 14.5¡À3.18 ¦Ìg/dL (p<0.001). Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is significantly associated with a high blood lead level.
%K Lead poisoning
%K Pre-eclampsia
%K Pregnancy complications
%U http://www.theijoem.com/ijoem/index.php/ijoem/article/view/187