Lead and Cadmium Levels In Blood of Pregnant Women in Assiut Governorate; Do They Have A Role in Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia (PE) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in mother, fetus and infant in many parts of the world. In Egypt, the prevalence of PE is 10.7% in a community based study while, in hospital based studies it ranged from 9.1% to 12.5% of all deliveries.        
High blood lead and cadmium levels were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lead and cadmium blood levels in pregnant females and preeclampsia in Assiut Governorate.
This cross sectional study was done in Maternal Health Hospital, Assiut University in a period of sixth months from August 2013 to January 2014.  The study included 80 pregnant women were suffering from preeclampsia (preeclampsia group) and another 50 healthy pregnant women as (control group). Blood and cadmium levels were detected in  the venous  blood of the cases.  
There were variations in blood lead and cadmium levels among different age groups with increase in level as age increase. Urban residence was significant risk factor for preeclampsia and also associated with high lead and cadmium levels in blood;   Significant correlation was found between preeclampsia and low educational level and this was associated with high blood lead and cadmium levels .Smoking of the husband was associated with low blood lead of their wife's in comparison to non-smokers.
Preeclampsia occurred in both primiparous and multiparous women and this was associated with relatively high blood lead and cadmium level, also the risk of preeclampsia significantly increases in women with previous preeclampsia. History of previous preeclampsia was associated with relatively high level of blood lead and cadmium. 25% of cases had family history of preeclampsia in comparison with 4% among control. This finding was associated with increase in blood lead and cadmium level. Contamination of water supply, paint use at houses, living near busy street and exposure to motor car exhaust and grinding wheat had been found to be one of the important sources of exposure to lead and cadmium.
In conclusion: high blood lead and cadmium levels are significant risk factors for preeclampsia due to exposure to different sources lead and cadmium.