Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Associations of Internal-Migration Status with Maternal Exposure to Stress, Lead, and Selenium Deficiency Among Pregnant Women in Shanghai, China

  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Internal migration and urbanization are occurring on a global scale. Although the risk of exposure to stress/lead/low selenium is assumed to be high among migrant pregnant women, population-based evidence is limited. This study aims to explore the association of internal-migration status with maternal exposure to lead, low selenium, and stress among pregnant women. A total of 1931 pregnant women were investigated in 2010. The internal-migration status was grouped based on their hukou (registered residence) and length-of-residency in Shanghai. Maternal blood lead and serum selenium concentrations were assessed. Life event stress and emotional stress were evaluated using “Event-Stress-Scale-for-Pregnant-Women” and “Symptom-Checklist-90-R-Scale” (SCL-90-R), respectively. Logistic regression and general linear models were used to evaluate associations between migration status and lead/stress/low selenium exposure. Compared with the local (with Shanghai hukou and length-of-residency ≥ 5 years), new migrants (without Shanghai hukou and length-of-residency < 2 years) had lower social-economic-status (SES), higher lead, life event and emotional stress, and lower selenium levels. After adjusting for SES, new migrants had higher risks of emotional stress (for interpersonal sensitivity of SCL-90-R, OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.22–3.64) and low selenium [lg(selenium): beta = − 0.08, 95% CI − 0.11, − 0.05], but no significant risks for life event stress and high lead. Compared with the local, migrant pregnant women in big cities may have emotional stress and low selenium independent of SES, and high lead and life event stress dependent on SES.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Neiderud CJ (2015) How urbanization affects the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 5:27060. https://doi.org/10.3402/iee.v5.27060

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Tian Z, Cao G, Shi J, McCallum I, Cui L, Fan D, Li X (2012) Urban transformation of a metropolis and its environmental impacts: a case study in Shanghai. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 19(5):1364–1374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0641-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Qiu P, Caine E, Yang Y, Chen Q, Li J, Ma X (2011) Depression and associated factors in internal migrant workers in China. J Affect Disord 134(1–3):198–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2011.05.043

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Dipietro JA (2012) Maternal stress in pregnancy: considerations for fetal development. J Adolesc Health 51(2 Suppl):S3–S8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.04.008

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Tegethoff M, Greene N, Olsen J, Meyer AH, Meinlschmidt G (2010) Maternal psychosocial adversity during pregnancy is associated with length of gestation and offspring size at birth: evidence from a population-based cohort study. Psychosom Med 72(4):419–426. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181d2f0b0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Torres JM, Wallace SP (2013) Migration circumstances, psychological distress, and self-rated physical health for Latino immigrants in the United States. Am J Public Health 103(9):1619–1627. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2012.301195

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Zelkowitz P, Schinazi J, Katofsky L, Saucier J, Valenzuela M, Westreich R, Dayan J (2004) Factors associated with depression in pregnant immigrant women. Transcult Psychiatry 41(4):445–464. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363461504047929

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gao S, Jin Y, Unverzagt FW, Liang C, Hall KS, Cao J, Ma F, Murrell JR, Cheng Y, Li P, Bian J, Hendrie HC (2012) Selenium level and depressive symptoms in a rural elderly Chinese cohort. BMC Psychiatry 12:72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-12-72

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Benton D (2002) Selenium intake, mood and other aspects of psychological functioning. Nutr Neurosci 5(6):363–374. https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415021000055925

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Makhoul IR, Sammour RN, Diamond E, Shohat I, Tamir A, Shamir R (2004) Selenium concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood at 24-42 weeks of gestation: basis for optimization of selenium supplementation to premature infants. Clin Nutr 23(3):373–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2003.08.004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Wells EM, Jarrett JM, Lin YH, Caldwell KL, Hibbeln JR, Apelberg BJ, Herbstman J, Halden RU, Witter FR, Goldman LR (2011) Body burdens of mercury, lead, selenium and copper among Baltimore newborns. Environ Res 111(3):411–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2010.12.009

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith AM, Picciano MF (1986) Evidence for increased selenium requirement for the rat during pregnancy and lactation. J Nutr 116(6):1068–1079. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/116.6.1068

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Pieczynska J, Grajeta H (2015) The role of selenium in human conception and pregnancy. J Trace Elem Med Biol 29:31–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2014.07.003

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kaplowitz SA, Perlstadt H, Dziura JD, Post LA (2016) Behavioral and environmental explanations of elevated blood lead levels in immigrant children and children of immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health 18(5):979–986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0243-8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Wu WT, Liou SH, Lin KJ, Liu TE, Liu SH, Chen CY, Sung FC, Wu TN (2009) Changing blood lead levels and DNA damage (comet assay) among immigrant women in Taiwan. Sci Total Environ 407(23):5931–5936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.07.025

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Poropat AE, Laidlaw MAS, Lanphear B, Ball A, Mielke HW (2018) Blood lead and preeclampsia: a meta-analysis and review of implications. Environ Res 160:12–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2017.09.014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Taylor CM, Golding J, Emond AM (2015) Adverse effects of maternal lead levels on birth outcomes in the ALSPAC study: a prospective birth cohort study. BJOG 122(3):322–328. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.12756

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Xie X, Ding G, Cui C, Chen L, Gao Y, Zhou Y, Shi R, Tian Y (2013) The effects of low-level prenatal lead exposure on birth outcomes. Environ Pollut 175:30–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.12.013

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Yan CH, Xu J, Shen XM (2013) Childhood lead poisoning in China: challenges and opportunities. Environ Health Perspect 121(10):A294

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Cleveland LM, Minter ML, Cobb KA, Scott AA, German VF (2008) Lead hazards for pregnant women and children: part 1: immigrants and the poor shoulder most of the burden of lead exposure in this country. Part 1 of a two-part article details how exposure happens, whom it affects, and the harm it can do. Am J Nurs 108(10):40–49; quiz 50. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000337736.76730.66

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wu WT, Wu CC, Lin YJ, Shen CY, Liu TY, Yang CY, Liou SH, Wu TN (2013) Changing blood lead levels and oxidative stress with duration of residence among Taiwan immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health 15(6):1048–1056. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9820-x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Program. UND China National Human Development Report 2013—Sustainable and liveable cities: toward ecological civilization. (2013. http://www.undp.org/content/dam/china/docs/Publications/UNDP-CH_2013%20NHDR_EN.pdf. Accessed April 27, 2016)

  23. Tegethoff M, Greene N, Olsen J, Schaffner E, Meinlschmidt G (2011) Stress during pregnancy and offspring pediatric disease: a National Cohort Study. Environ Health Perspect 119(11):1647–1652. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003253

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. WY. W Symptom Checklist 90. In: Zhang, ZJ, Eds Behavior Scale Rating Manual, 1st ed Chinese Medical Multimedia Press, Beijing, 2005:64–67 [in Chinese]

  25. LR D SCL-90-R: administration, scoring and procedures manual, 3rd ed. National Computer Systems Inc, Minneapolis

  26. Skroder HM, Hamadani JD, Tofail F, Persson LA, Vahter ME, Kippler MJ (2015) Selenium status in pregnancy influences children’s cognitive function at 1.5 years of age. Clin Nutr 34(5):923–930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2014.09.020

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Committee opinion No. 533: lead screening during pregnancy and lactation (2012). Obstetrics and gynecology 120 (2 Pt 1):416–420. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/AOG.0b013e31826804e8

  28. Suarez L, Cardarelli K, Hendricks K (2003) Maternal stress, social support, and risk of neural tube defects among Mexican Americans. Epidemiology 14(5):612–616. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ede.0000073270.39780.e9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Jensen HH, Mortensen EL, Lotz M (2013) SCL-90-R symptom profiles and outcome of short-term psychodynamic group therapy. ISRN Psychiatry 2013:540134–540137. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/540134

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Li S, Xiao T, Zheng B (2012) Medical geology of arsenic, selenium and thallium in China. Sci Total Environ 421-422:31–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.02.040

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Mistry HD, Wilson V, Ramsay MM, Symonds ME, Broughton Pipkin F (2008) Reduced selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in preeclamptic pregnancies. Hypertension 52(5):881–888. https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.108.116103

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Schulpis KH, Karakonstantakis T, Gavrili S, Chronopoulou G, Karikas GA, Vlachos G, Papassotiriou I (2004) Maternal-neonatal serum selenium and copper levels in Greeks and Albanians. Eur J Clin Nutr 58(9):1314–1318. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601967

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Nwagha UI, Ogbodo SO, Nwogu-Ikojo EE, Ibegbu DM, Ejezie FE, Nwagha TU, Dim CC (2011) Copper and selenium status of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. Niger J Clin Pract 14(4):408–412. https://doi.org/10.4103/1119-3077.91745

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Rayman MP, Wijnen H, Vader H, Kooistra L, Pop V (2011) Maternal selenium status during early gestation and risk for preterm birth. CMAJ 183(5):549–555. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.101095

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Kantola M, Purkunen R, Kroger P, Tooming A, Juravskaja J, Pasanen M, Seppanen K, Saarikoski S, Vartiainen T (2004) Selenium in pregnancy: is selenium an active defective ion against environmental chemical stress? Environ Res 96(1):51–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2004.03.003

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Laclaustra M, Navas-Acien A, Stranges S, Ordovas JM, Guallar E (2009) Serum selenium concentrations and hypertension in the US population. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2(4):369–376. https://doi.org/10.1161/circoutcomes.108.831552

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Bodnar LM, Wisner KL (2005) Nutrition and depression: implications for improving mental health among childbearing-aged women. Biol Psychiatry 58(9):679–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.05.009

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Sher L (2002) Effects of selenium status on mood and behaviour: role of thyroid hormones. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 36(4):559–560. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.t01-2-01066.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Naicker N, Norris SA, Mathee A, von Schirnding YE, Richter L (2010) Prenatal and adolescent blood lead levels in South Africa: child, maternal and household risk factors in the Birth to Twenty cohort. Environ Res 110(4):355–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2010.02.006

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Nriagu J, Senthamarai-Kannan R, Jamil H, Fakhori M, Korponic S (2011) Lead poisoning among Arab American and African American children in the Detroit metropolitan area, Michigan. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 87(3):238–244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-011-0346-4

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Bellinger DC (2013) Prenatal exposures to environmental chemicals and children’s neurodevelopment: an update. Saf Health Work 4(1):1–11. https://doi.org/10.5491/shaw.2013.4.1.1

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Cory-Slechta DA, Virgolini MB, Thiruchelvam M, Weston DD, Bauter MR (2004) Maternal stress modulates the effects of developmental lead exposure. Environ Health Perspect 112(6):717–730

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Virgolini MB, Rossi-George A, Lisek R, Weston DD, Thiruchelvam M, Cory-Slechta DA (2008) CNS effects of developmental Pb exposure are enhanced by combined maternal and offspring stress. Neurotoxicology 29(5):812–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2008.03.003

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Qian LJ, Shen BB, YMSe a (2012) Mental health levels of 206 cases of normal pregnant women and relevant influencing factors in a 3A hospital in Anqing. Anhui Med Pharm J 16:400–402

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [NCFS, 81673189, 30901205, 81373016]; Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission [201640363]; National Key Research and Development Program of China [2016FYC1000203]; and Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Gaofeng Clinical Medicine Grant Support [20172016]. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NCFS or STCSM.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Shiwei Jiang and Bo Yang contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MOE–Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children’s Environmental Health, Department of Children’s Healthcare, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China

    Shiwei Jiang, Jian Xu, Chonghuai Yan, Jinsong Zhang, Shufang Li & Xiaoming Shen

  2. The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China

    Shiwei Jiang, Jian Xu & Zhiwei Liu

  3. Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China

    Bo Yang

  4. Department of Medical Psychology, Xinhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China

    Jinsong Zhang

Authors
  1. Shiwei Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bo Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jian Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhiwei Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chonghuai Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jinsong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shufang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xiaoming Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jian Xu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Jiang, S., Yang, B., Xu, J. et al. Associations of Internal-Migration Status with Maternal Exposure to Stress, Lead, and Selenium Deficiency Among Pregnant Women in Shanghai, China. Biol Trace Elem Res 190, 309–317 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1570-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-018-1570-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation