Content of lead and nickel in mothers' hair and their children which were born with intrauterina growth restriction

Abstract

Heavy metals are considered to be harmful, since they are toxic, not biochemical decay, have a long half-life in the soil and accumulate by living organisms through food or air. Hair can be used as a marker for the long-term effects of toxic elements, the study of their effects on the body of fetus and newborn is of particular importance. The level of lead in hair of mothers which born full-term newborns with IUGR was 2,4 times higher than who born fullterm children. This can be explained by the excess intake of the above element woman’s body through food, water or lead-contaminated air.