Lead Level in Pregnant Women Suffering from Pre-eclampsia in Dakahlia, Egypt

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±SD blood lead level was 37.68±9.17 μg/dL in women with pre-eclampsia; the value in the comparison group was 14.5±3.18 μg/dL (p<0.001). Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia is significantly associated with a high blood lead level.