El bajo consumo de hierro, calcio y cinc tiene relación con valores elevados de plomo sanguíneo en mujeres embarazadas

Objectives

To analyze the association between blood lead levels and nutrient consumption, as well as associated factors, in women from southern Mexico.

Methods

A total of 424 pregnant women participated in this study by completing a questionnaire on the frequency of food consumption in the previous year. The prevalence of high blood lead levels (>10 μg/dL) was defined according to the Mexican Official Norm (NOM- 199 SSA 1–2000) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, 2007.

Results

The mean percentage of adequacy of intake of zinc, calcium, total-iron, heme-iron, vitamin C and vitamin A was 37.4%, 88.2%, 38.5%, 12.8%, 78.9% and 84.6%, respectively. The prevalence of high blood lead levels was 41.5%. The risk associated with the prevalence of high blood lead levels was explained by age >35 years old [OR: 3.8 (1.4,10.3)] compared with age <25 years old (P=0.010), low blood hemoglobin levels (< 12g/dL) [OR: 3.1 (1.9, 5.0)] (P<0.0001), body mass index 30 Kg/m² [OR: 1.9 (1.1, 3.5)], (P=0.026); compliance with heme-iron recommendations <20% [OR: 2.7(1.1, 6.6)], (P=0.025), calcium recommendations <80% [OR: 1.4 (1.0, 2.0)] (P=0.056), and zinc recommendations 50–99% [OR: 1.9 (1.0, 3.5)] (P=0.038), and <50% adequacy [OR: 4.3 (2.2, 8.7)] (P = 0.044) with respect to persons consuming 100% or more of recommended intake.

Conclusions

Low heme-iron, zinc and calcium consumption was associated with a higher risk of high blood lead levels, which in turn were also associated with anemia, food consumption from ceramic plates and containers, obesity and older age.