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Z Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2020; 224(06): 339-347
DOI: 10.1055/a-1263-1698
Original Article

Environmental Exposures in the Etiology of Abortion: Placental Toxic and Trace Element Levels

Emre Baser 
1   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yozgat, Turkey
,
Demet Aydogan kırmızı
1   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yozgat, Turkey
,
Vugar Ali Turksoy
2   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Yozgat, Turkey
,
Taylan Onat
1   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yozgat, Turkey
,
Melike Demir Çaltekin 
1   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yozgat, Turkey
,
Mustafa Kara
3   Ahi Evran University Training and Research Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kırşehir, Turkey
,
Ethem Serdar Yalvac
1   Yozgat Bozok University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yozgat, Turkey
› Author Affiliations Funding: This study was supported by the Yozgat Bozok University Scientific Research Foundation (grant No. 6602a-TF/18-203).
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Correction: Environmental Exposures in the Etiology of Abortion: Placental Toxic and Trace Element LevelsZ Geburtshilfe Neonatol 2020; 224(06): e1-e1
DOI: 10.1055/a-1299-2776

Abstract

Purpose Intensive research has been conducted on the effects of toxic and trace elements on pregnancy. Previous studies indicated a possible relationship between placental levels of these elements and first-trimester abortion; however, their effects on the further gestational weeks are not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of changes in the levels of placental trace and toxic elements on second-trimester abortion.

Methods The patient group consisted of 30 women with missed abortion. The control group comprised 60 healthy term and singleton pregnant women who gave birth. Placental samples were obtained from the patients and the healthy controls, and the concentrations of placental elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Results In the abortion group, placental arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, antimony, tin, cobalt, manganese, and selenium levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (p<0.05). Antimony was determined as an independent predictor with an odds ratio of 6.1 in toxic elements (p=0.025), and selenium was determined as an independent predictor with an odds ratio of 2.3 in trace elements (p=0.015).

Conclusion The changes in trace element and toxic element levels, especially an increase in antimony and selenium, in placental tissue due to environmental exposure may play an important role in second-trimester abortion.

Key words

second-trimester abortions - heavy metal - trace element - toxic element - environmental exposure


Publication History

Received: 07 July 2020

Accepted: 06 September 2020

Article published online:
15 October 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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