CADMIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN BLOOD AND URINE OF PREGNANT-WOMEN AT DELIVERY AND THEIR OFFSPRING

The levels of Cd in blood (CdB) and in urine (CdU) were measured in 40 women at delivery and in their offspring. The women were not occupationally exposed to Cd. The CdB levels in the pregnant women were significantly lower than in a control group consisting of 40 subjects of the same sex and age living in the same area. The difference probably was due to the physiological hemodilution that took place in pregnancy. The CdU levels in the 2 groups were identical, which suggested that no mobilization of the metal from tissue deposits occurred during pregnancy. The presence of Cd in the blood and urine of the newborn demonstrated that Cd crossed the placental barrier. There was a high correlation between the CdU levels of mothers and offspring. Since only traces of Cd were present in tissues at birth, it was speculated that the CdU levels in the newborn were influenced by the tissue deposits of Cd in the mother. Further research was required to ascertain whether, in the case of women occupationally exposed to Cd or living in Cd polluted areas, transfer of the metal across the placenta produced toxic effects in the fetus.