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MONDAY, July 1 (HealthDayNews) -- The sins of the father are borne by the sons, but the poisons of the mother are the children's burden, too.
A new study has found that women whose bones are laced with lead during pregnancy can transfer the toxin to their unborn babies with potentially serious consequences for the child's physical and mental development.
Babies exposed to lead in this way, and through maternal blood, have significantly lower scores on general measures of infant motor and mental ability.
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The skeleton normally sequesters the heavy metal, keeping it out of circulation. However, during pregnancy women cannibalize their own bone to help build up the fetal skeleton, setting lead free in the process. Once unlocked, the poison enters the bloodstream and makes its way to the fetus across the umbilical cord.
Lead experts say the findings aren't surprising, and they underscore the importance of reducing exposure to the toxin in young girls.
"These bone stores of lead persist for a very long time," says Dr. Howard Hu, a Harvard University public health expert and a co-author of the study. Whereas a blood lead level reading offers a snapshot of recent exposure, a bone test reflects contact with the metal perhaps decades ago.
The findings also suggest that steps to prevent the release of lead during pregnancy may protect babies. Taking calcium supplements, which shore up the skeleton and slow bone breakdown, is one promising approach, Hu says.
He and his colleagues are now conducting a study to see if calcium therapy will work against this harmful transfer. "Our suspicion is that it will be a pretty low-tech approach to this problem in clinical practice," he adds.
A report on the study appears in the July issue of Pediatrics.
Lead is a potent heavy metal that can damage brain cells, causing learning and behavior problems and, at extreme doses, seizures, coma and even death.
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