Amniotic fluid B12, calcium, and lead levels associated with neural tube defects

The group mean differences and relationships between folate, B-12, calcium, lead, and methionine levels in amniotic fluid from 29 non-NTD and 11 NTD pregnancies (15-20 weeks' gestation age) were determined. The study population was predominantly Hispanic in both groups (48% in non-NTD and 36% in NTD group) with an average maternal age of 29 years in the non-NTD group and 24 years in the NTD group; and, an average gestation age of 18.5 weeks in the non-NTD and 17.5 weeks in the NTD group. The folate B-12, lead, calcium, and methionine levels of the two groups were compared by Student's t-test and by Pearson's correlation. The NTD levels were lower for calcium (p less than or equal to 0.0001), B-12 (p less than or equal to 0.001), and methionine (p less than or equal to 0.001); but, the lead level was higher (p less than or equal to 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between lead and both B-12 (p less than or equal to 0.007) and methionine (p less than or equal to 0.02).