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Exposure-associated health implications of potentially toxic elements in maternal and umbilical cord blood at Ishaka adventist hospital, Bushenyi District, Uganda

Godswill J. UdomDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, PMB 373, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. [email protected]Omoirri Moses AziakponoDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine, Kampala International University, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaDaniel N. ObotDepartment of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. [email protected]Iboro E. IdemDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Medicine, Kampala International University, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaJoseph G. OmoleDepartment of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaBurch Ndifon TakimDepartment of Chemistry, University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa, Cross River State, NigeriaNita-wills G. UdomDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Cavendish University, Kampala, UgandaAyodeji AturamuDepartment of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, NigeriaInnocent A. EdaghaDepartment of Human Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, KenyaDoniyor JumanazarovUrgench State University, Kh. Alimdjan str. 14, Urgench, 220100, UzbekistanMutabar LatipovaNational Research University, Tiiame, Kori Niyoziy 39, Tashkent, 100000, UzbekistanKhursheed MuzammilCentral Labs, King Khalid University, AlQura'a, Abha, 960, Saudi ArabiaOrish E. OrisakweAdvanced Research Centre, European University of Lefke, Lefke, Mersin, TR-10, Northern Cyprus, Turkey

Scientific Reportsjournal2026en

ABI

Annotatsiya

Prenatal exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including heavy metals and metalloids, poses a significant public health risk in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where environmental surveillance is limited. This study assessed maternal and foetal exposure to PTEs in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples (n = 32 each) collected at Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Uganda, an agricultural region with known environmental contamination. Concentrations of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were quantified using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy; cadmium was undetected. Maternal samples had significantly higher mean concentrations than cord blood (p < 0.05), suggesting partial placental filtration. Nonetheless, maternal–foetal transfer ratios ranged from 10% (Zn) to 50.51% (Pb), indicating foetal exposure. Weighted Risk Score modelling revealed substantial maternal and foetal risks, primarily due to exposure to elevated levels of multiple metals (Pb, Ni, Cr and As). Spearman correlation and multivariate parsimonious regression analyses revealed significant associations between maternal and cord blood PTE concentrations and reported health issues. Notably, hypertension, respiratory allergies, gastrointestinal upsets, and gestational diabetes were correlated (singly or in combination) with higher maternal blood metal(loid) levels, passive smoking, geophagia, repeated use of mosquito coils, and use of biomass fuel (firewood), identifying these as potential environmental sources. Stratified Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests showed significantly higher Cr and Pb among mothers reporting geophagia, and significantly lower birth weight (LBW) among infants of older mothers and those practising geophagy. Similarly, cord blood metal(loid) levels were associated with LBW. Findings highlight substantial in utero exposure to a mixture of toxicants, with potential implications for adverse birth outcomes and long-term health effects, underscoring urgent maternal-child health interventions and environmental regulation in LMICs settings.

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Mavzular

Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity Aluminum toxicity and tolerance in plants and animals Heavy metals in environment

Identifikatorlar

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-40241-y

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