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In Utero Exposure to Aluminium and Other Neurotoxic Elements in Urban Coastal South African Women at Delivery: An Emerging Concern

Author

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  • Halina B. Röllin

    (School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    Environment and Health Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa)

  • Kalavati Channa

    (Lancet Laboratories, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Johannesburg 2090, South Africa)

  • Bukola Olutola

    (School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Claudina Nogueira

    (School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa)

  • Jon Ø. Odland

    (School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
    Department of Community Medicine and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway
    Higher School of Economics, National Research University, 107078 Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) is a non-essential neurotoxicant and there is limited information regarding exposure to Al in utero. This study sought to evaluate the in utero exposure to Al in urban South African women, its effects on birth outcomes and possible synergistic effects between Al, essential and neurotoxic elements such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As), as well as a a potential sex-dependent response to these elements in neonates. This study has found elevated levels of Al in urban women at delivery. The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (p-value) of the association between maternal serum Al and birth outcomes (gestational age and parity), and between maternal serum Al and Cu, Zn and Se, were statistically significant. However, in the general and the stratified models, no association was found between any of the birth outcomes and maternal serum Al. The association between maternal serum Al and neurotoxic elements at delivery showed a significant positive correlation for Pb only (rho = 0.361; p < 0.001) which was found to be sex-dependent in neonates (males, rho = 0.285; p < 0.004 and females, rho = 0.444, p < 0.001). Our preliminary findings indicate that in utero exposure to Al is an emerging concern requiring further research and directives from public health authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Halina B. Röllin & Kalavati Channa & Bukola Olutola & Claudina Nogueira & Jon Ø. Odland, 2020. "In Utero Exposure to Aluminium and Other Neurotoxic Elements in Urban Coastal South African Women at Delivery: An Emerging Concern," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1724-:d:329184
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kinga Polanska & Wojciech Hanke & Natalia Pawlas & Ewelina Wesolowska & Agnieszka Jankowska & Marta Jagodic & Darja Mazej & Jolanta Dominowska & Mariusz Grzesiak & Fiorino Mirabella & Flavia Chiarotti, 2018. "Sex-Dependent Impact of Low-Level Lead Exposure during Prenatal Period on Child Psychomotor Functions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Halina B. Röllin & Claudina Nogueira & Bukola Olutola & Kalavati Channa & Jon Ø. Odland, 2018. "Prenatal Exposure to Aluminum and Status of Selected Essential Trace Elements in Rural South African Women at Delivery," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-16, July.
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