Low Meconium Metal Concentrations in Newborns from NYC

Prenatal exposure to metals is a significant concern, particularly in urban settings where environmental factors and maternal characteristics may contribute to varying exposure levels. Understanding the factors influencing metal concentrations in newborns is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study assessed the association between maternal characteristics, including country of origin and residential factors, and prenatal metal exposure in newborns delivered at public hospitals in New York City. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 301 mother-newborn dyads. Meconium samples were collected and analyzed for ten metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of metals, including aluminum, iron, manganese, nickel, and lead, varied based on demographic variables in the study population. Asian and Spanish-speaking mothers had significantly higher lead concentrations compared to White and English-speaking mothers. No significant associations were found between maternal housing characteristics and metal concentrations, potentially due to participants predominantly residing in environmental justice areas. The findings suggest that prenatal metal exposure in this population may be influenced by prior exposures in the country of origin and socio-economic factors post-immigration. These insights highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce prenatal metal exposure in vulnerable urban populations.