Estudo dos níveis de mercúrio total em cordão umbilical de crianças nascidas em Santarém- Pará-Brasil

Abstract

Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal and highly toxic to health, being one of the seven chemical elements present in the nature more toxic to living beings. Methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic form of this element, to which the population is most exposed. It has the capacity to overcome the placental barrier, making the fetus susceptible to intoxication, since intrauterine life is the most sensitive to exposure to Hg because of neurological development. The study of the exposure of Hg in pregnant women is an important issue, due to the biomagnification and bioaccumulation process of MeHg in the body, and to the consumption of fish in this period due to its being a source of omega 3. In view of this, the objective of the research was to evaluate the concentrations of HgT present in newborns and to use umbilical cord weight and dry weight (lyophilized) as biomonitor of Hg exposure. A socioeconomic and food frequency questionnaire was applied to 45 pregnant women who were attending the Hospital Municipal de Santarém-Pará, who donated the respective umbilical cords of their newborns. The mean concentrations of wet weight and dry weight umbilical cord HgT were 0,006±0,004 and 0,004±0,004 mg/Kg. These concentrations showed a positive correlation (rs= 0,0336; p<0.05). The concentrations of the cord and the dry cord showed a strong correlation with the frequency of fish consumption (rs= 0,50; p<0.05; rs= 0,61; p<0.05, respectively). In contrast to the correlation of the amount of fish consumed with the concentrations of wet cord and dry cord, which presented negative correlation (rs= -0,061; p<0,05; (rs=0-0,024; p<0,05, respectively). For those who consumed fruits daily the average HgT concentrations were lower compared to those they consumed occasionally. The dry samples were more accurate for assessing the concentration of HgT in umbilical cord. Based on the results obtained, it is expected to contribute to public prevention policies, as well as the monitoring of this contaminant in pregnant women for the protection of children, society and the environment.