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Mercury and Prenatal Growth: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Dack

    (Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK)

  • Matthew Fell

    (Cleft Collective, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK)

  • Caroline M. Taylor

    (Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1NU, UK)

  • Alexandra Havdahl

    (Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0456 Oslo, Norway
    Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, 0771 Oslo, Norway)

  • Sarah J. Lewis

    (Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
    Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK)

Abstract

The intrauterine environment is critical for healthy prenatal growth and affects neonatal survival and later health. Mercury is a toxic metal which can freely cross the placenta and disrupt a wide range of cellular processes. Many observational studies have investigated mercury exposure and prenatal growth, but no prior review has synthesised this evidence. Four relevant publication databases (Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were systematically searched to identify studies of prenatal mercury exposure and birth weight, birth length, or head circumference. Study quality was assessed using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool, and results synthesised in a narrative review. Twenty-seven studies met the review criteria, these were in 17 countries and used 8 types of mercury biomarker. Studies of birth weight (total = 27) involving populations with high levels of mercury exposure, non-linear methods, or identified as high quality were more likely to report an association with mercury, but overall results were inconsistent. Most studies reported no strong evidence of association between mercury and birth length (n = 14) or head circumference (n = 14). Overall, our review did not identify strong evidence that mercury exposure leads to impaired prenatal growth, although there was some evidence of a negative association of mercury with birth weight.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Dack & Matthew Fell & Caroline M. Taylor & Alexandra Havdahl & Sarah J. Lewis, 2021. "Mercury and Prenatal Growth: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7140-:d:588077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mohammad H. Rahbar & Maureen Samms-Vaughan & Aisha S. Dickerson & Manouchehr Hessabi & Jan Bressler & Charlene Coore Desai & Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington & Jody-Ann Reece & Renee Morgan & Katherine, 2015. "Concentration of Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Aluminum, Arsenic and Manganese in Umbilical Cord Blood of Jamaican Newborns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Gaitree K. Baldewsingh & Jeffrey K. Wickliffe & Edward D. van Eer & Arti Shankar & Ashna D. Hindori-Mohangoo & Emily W. Harville & Hannah H. Covert & Lizheng Shi & Maureen Y. Lichtveld & Wilco C.W.R. , 2020. "Prenatal Mercury Exposure in Pregnant Women from Suriname’s Interior and Its Effects on Birth Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Ganiyu Olatunbosun Arinola & Anindita Dutta & Oluwafemi Oluwole & Christopher O. Olopade, 2018. "Household Air Pollution, Levels of Micronutrients and Heavy Metals in Cord and Maternal Blood, and Pregnancy Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Marie Camerota & Kenneth A Bollen, 2016. "Birth Weight, Birth Length, and Gestational Age as Indicators of Favorable Fetal Growth Conditions in a US Sample," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Rejane C. Marques & José V. E. Bernardi & José G. Dórea & Katiane G. Brandão & Lucélia Bueno & Renata S. Leão & Olaf Malm, 2013. "Fish Consumption during Pregnancy, Mercury Transfer, and Birth Weight along the Madeira River Basin in Amazonia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-14, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Dettwiler & Angela C. Flynn & Jessica Rigutto-Farebrother, 2023. "Effects of Non-Essential “Toxic” Trace Elements on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Narrative Overview of Recent Literature Syntheses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-16, April.

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