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. 2018 Jul;9(3):113-119.
doi: 10.15171/ijoem.2018.1181.

Mercury-induced Oxidative Stress May Adversely Affect Pregnancy Outcome among Dental Staff: A Cohort Study

Aziza El-Badry  1 , Mohamed Rezk  2 , Hanan El-Sayed  3
Affiliations

Mercury-induced Oxidative Stress May Adversely Affect Pregnancy Outcome among Dental Staff: A Cohort Study

Aziza El-Badry et al. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Dental staff may be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome secondary to their chronic exposure to mercury.

Objective: To investigate obstetric outcome among dental staff and explore the oxidative stress induced by mercury exposure.

Methods: A cohort of 64 pregnant dental staff (exposed group) and 60 pregnant employees (non-exposed group) were studied. Urinary mercury level and blood antioxidant activity were measured. Participants were followed to assess their obstetric outcome.

Results: The exposed group had a higher mean urinary mercury level and a lower blood antioxidant activity during the three trimesters compared to non-exposed group (p<0.001). Women in the exposed group were experienced more frequently spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia (p<0.05). Babies born to the women in the exposed group tended to be smaller for gestational age compared to those of non-exposed group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Pregnant dental staff suffered higher odds of developing spontaneous abortion and pre-eclampsia and giving birth to babies smaller for gestational age. This may be linked to oxidative stress induced by exposure to mercury.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Dental staff; Glutathione peroxidase; Mercury poisoning; Oxidative stress; Pregnancy outcome; Superoxide dismutase.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

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