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Status of Toxic Metals in Biological Samples of Diabetic Mothers and Their Neonates

Biological Trace Element Research volume 143, pages 196–212 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

The mechanism of transport of trace elements from the mother to the newborn is still not well known. The aim of present study was to compare the status of trace toxic elements, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in biological samples (whole blood, urine and scalp hair) of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (age ranged 30–40) and their newly born infants (n = 76). An age and socioeconomics matched 68 nondiabetic mothers and their infants, residing in the same locality, who were selected as referents. The elemental concentrations in all three biological samples were determined by an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer, prior to microwave-assisted acid digestion. The mean values of As, Cd, and Pb in all biological samples of diabetic mothers and their infants were significantly higher as compared to the referent mother–infant pair samples (p < 0.01). The high levels of As, Cd, and Pb in biological samples of diabetic women may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and impacts on their neonates.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for sponsoring this project.

Conflicts of Interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, 76080, Pakistan

    Nida Fatima Kolachi, Tasneem Gul Kazi, Hassan Imran Afridi, Sumaira Khan, Ghulam Abbas Kandhro, Abdul Qadir Shah, Jameel Ahmed Baig, Sham Kumar Wadhwa, Faheem Shah & Mohammad Khan Jamali

  2. Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan

    Naveed Kazi

  3. Department of Basic Sciences, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

    Mohammad Balal Arain

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  1. Nida Fatima Kolachi
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  2. Tasneem Gul Kazi
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  3. Hassan Imran Afridi
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  4. Naveed Kazi
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Correspondence to Tasneem Gul Kazi.

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Kolachi, N.F., Kazi, T.G., Afridi, H.I. et al. Status of Toxic Metals in Biological Samples of Diabetic Mothers and Their Neonates. Biol Trace Elem Res 143, 196–212 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8879-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8879-7

Keywords

  • Diabetic women
  • Neonates
  • Heavy metals
  • Neonatal intensive care unit
  • Atomic absorption spectrophotometer