Amniotic Fluid B₁₂, Calcium, and Lead Levels Associated with Neural Tube Defects

ABSTRACT

The group mean differences and relationships between folate, B₁₂, 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, B₁₂, 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 ≤ 0.0001), B₁₂ (p ≤ 0.001), and methionine (P ≤ 0.001); but, the lead level was higher (p ≤ 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between lead and both B₁₂ (p ≤ 0.007) and methionine (p ≤ 0.02).

Keywords

Amniotic fluid - neural tube defects - lead