Impact of intrauterine low-level lead exposure on growth and neurobehavioral development in neonates

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of intrauterine low-level lead exposure on the growth and neurodevelopment in neonates.MethodsTotally 307 neonates born in Shenyang Fengtian Hospital from February 2011 to July 2012 were selected.Lead concentration in umbilical cord blood was measured with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer(MG2).The neurodevelopment of the newborns was assessed with neonatal behavioral neurological assessment(NBNA).Birth weight,body height,and head and chest circumference were measured as the indicators of growth of the neonates.ResultsLead concentration in umbilical cord blood ranged from 3.0 μg/L to 126.0 μg/L among the neonates.There were no significant differences in birth weight,body height,and chest circumference among the neonates with different lead concentrations(P>0.05).While the total scores of NBNA(38.17±1.361)and initiative muscle tension score(7.31±0.613)for the neonates with high level of lead were significantly lower than those of other neonates(P<0.05).ConclusionThe neonatal neurobehavioral development is affected by intrauterine low-leve1 lead exposure.