Dietary predictors of maternal prenatal blood mercury levels in the ALSPAC birth cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Very high levels of prenatal maternal mercury have adverse effects on the developing fetal brain. It has been suggested that all possible sources of mercury should be avoided. However, although seafood is a known source of mercury, little is known about other dietary components that contribute to the overall levels of blood mercury.

Objective

Our goal was to quantify the contribution of components of maternal diet to prenatal blood mercury level.

Methods

Whole blood samples and information on diet and sociodemographic factors were collected from pregnant women (n = 4,484) enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The blood samples were assayed for total mercury using inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spect

SUBMITTER: Golding J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3801454 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature