A Cross-Sectional Analysis Investigating Pregnant Women’s Renal Function and Its Association with Lead and Cadmium Exposures—The DSAN Birth Cohort Study in Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil

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Abstract
Kidney dysfunction is increasing worldwide and is exacerbated by exposure to toxic metals. Also, pregnancy poses an overload on kidney function. We investigated how blood lead (PbB) and cadmium (CdB) levels were associated with kidney function in pregnant women from Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil, during their second trimester. In this cross-sectional study, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine and whole blood metal levels were measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 136 volunteers. Sociodemographic data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The medians (IQR) of PbB, CdB, and eGFR were 0.85 µg/dL (0.45–1.75), 0.55 µg/L (0.08–0.91), and 121.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 (106.0–127.9), respectively. PbB medians were significantly higher in the eGFR < 90 group at 2.00 µg/dL (0.83, 3.10). After age-adjusted logistic regression, pregnant women with elevated PbB levels had decreased eGFR (OR = 1.82; 95%-CI, 1.14–3.14). However, the participants with elevated PbB levels who reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy or had CdB in the highest tertile had higher odds of reduced eGFR (OR = 2.44; 95%-CI, 1.30–5.47) and (OR = 11.22; 95% CI, 2.53–103.51), respectively. These results suggest that low Pb exposure may affect kidney function in pregnant women and calls for further investigation into toxic metal co-exposures on kidney function during pregnancy in at-risk communities.
Funding Information
  • Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)
  • CNPq (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)
  • FAPESB (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)
  • Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)
  • National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (FAPESB-PPSUS 0015/2021, 421550/2018-0, T37 MD001452, 5T37MD001452-19)

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