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Studies of lead concentrations in blood during pregnancy are of interest because of the possibility of adverse effects on the fetus. One report of a single case suggested that blood lead concentrations are raised during pregnancy. This is consistent with the hypothesis of a pregnancy induced mobilisation of lead from bone. Data presented herein, however, indicate that blood lead measures are appreciably lower at delivery than they are at six months post partum. Other factors including but not limited to transmission to the fetus, may be influencing lead concentrations during pregnancy.

It was hypothesized that maternal blood lead level at delivery and cord blood lead level of the neonate would be affected by maternal use of alcohol, history of alcohol abuse, and smoking. The possibility that iron status, as reflected in maternal serum ferritin, would be related to lead level was also explored. The maternal history of alcohol abuse was unrelated to lead level in 208 samples of maternal blood and 178 samples of cord blood. However, alcohol use during pregnancy was related in a dose-response fashion to maternal and to cord blood lead level. This effect was significant with and without control of maternal smoking. The effect of maternal smoking and serum thiocyanate on maternal and cord blood lead level were also highly significant with and without control of the maternal drinking variable. Serum ferritin was marginally related to lead level for white women and for black infants, but tests of the dichotomized maternal ferritin variable did not yield a significant linkage with maternal or cord blood lead level. The results further support recommendations that women abstain from alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking in pregnancy.