Heavy Metals Can either Aid or Oppose the Protective Function of the Placental Barrier

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, toxic heavy metals are a threatening catastrophe to human health, particularly in the vulnerable group of pregnant mothers and their fetuses. Fortunately, the placenta can be a protective barrier to the fetuses. AIM: To explore the relationship between serum lead, cadmium and arsenic levels in pregnant mothers and their newborns, to address the placental barrier in this situation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and their newborns. Serum cadmium, lead, and arsenic levels were measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. RESULTS: All the studied heavy metals concentrations showed a significant elevation in the maternal blood relative to the cord blood. There was a significant association between the maternal lead and both fetal lead and arsenic. Meanwhile, a negative but insignificant correlation was recorded between the maternal cadmium and each of the fetal cadmium, lead, and arsenic. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicated a weak relation between maternal and fetal blood heavy metals, except for the influence of maternal lead, so it can be assumed that the placental barriers are partially protective against those toxic pollutants, putting into consideration the influence of their different natures.