Petar Vukelić

Phenotype of NK cells and cytotoxic/apoptotic mediators expression in ectopic pregnancy

Citation Laskarin G, Redzovic A, Vukelic P, Veljkovic D, Gulic T, Haller H, Rukavina D. Phenotype of NK cells and cytotoxic/apoptotic mediators expression in ectopic pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010

Relationship between the prenatal exposure to low-level of mercury and the size of a newborn’s cerebellum

Exposure to methylmercury at any stage of central nervous system development could induce alterations and result in severe congenital abnormalities. Total mercury level in maternal hair during pregnancy correlates well with blood levels of methylmercury and with total mercury levels in fetal brain. A prospective study has been conducted and a total of 137 childbearing women living at the coastal region with term, normal pregnancies were included and their newborns evaluated by ultrasonography. Mothers and their newborns are divided in two groups according to their hair mercury levels; examined group with high body levels of mercury (≥ 1 μg/g) and control group with low body levels of mercury (<1 μg/g). Neurosonographic examination was conducted to all newborns. Two dimensions of cerebellum in the sagital-medial plane have been measured: maximum height and width starting from the roof of the fourth chamber. Majority of mothers had hair mercury levels lower than 1 μg/g (N = 107). Mean value was 0.88 μg/g (SD 1.24), ranging from 0.02 to 8.71 μg/g. There was no significant difference between the two groups when it comes to the width of cerebellum (Mann-Whitney test: Z = 1471; p = 0.141). However, comparison related to the length of cerebellum shows statistically significant smaller cerebellum in newborns whose mother had hair mercury levels higher than 1 μg/g (Mann-Whitney test: Z = 2329; p = 0.019). Our results lead to a conclusion that prenatal exposure to, what we consider to be, low-levels of methylmercury does influence fetal brain development detected as decreased size of newborns cerebellum. From a clinical point of view, a question related to the influence of prenatal low-level methylmercury exposure on fetal neurodevelopment remains open. Our further objectives are to direct the research towards performing detailed neuropshychological tests on children at the age of 18 months. Such tests could indicate the presence of subtle neurological or neuropsychological deficits.

Prenatal exposure to low-level methylmercury alters the child's fine motor skills at the age of 18 months☆

Objectives To compare motor, cognitive and language characteristics in children aged 18 months who were prenatally exposed to low‐level methyl‐mercury (MeHg), and to analyze the eventual differences in these characteristics in relation to cord blood THg concentration. Patients and methods The total number of 205 child‐mother pairs was included in the study, and total cord blood mercury was measured in 198 of them. Out of the 198 already measured samples, 47 of them have also been tested for methyl‐mercury in cord blood. Data regarding the 47 samples of MeHg levels has been used for calculating the correlation between cord blood THg and cord blood MeHg. MeHg and THg showed a significant correlation (r=0.95, p<0.05). One month after the delivery, mothers were asked to complete the questionnaire regarding socioeconomic factors, breastfeeding of their infants, and dietary habits during pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental assessment of motor, cognitive and language skills were conducted on 168 children using The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID‐III). Regarding the cord blood THg concentration, 135 children were divided in 4 quartile groups. Their neurodevelopmental characteristics have been compared. Results The cord blood THg concentration median and inter‐quartile range was 2.98 ng/g (1.41–5.61 ng/g). There was a negative correlation between cord blood THg concentration and fine motor skills (rho=−0.22, p=0.01). It is evident that children grouped in 2nd,3rd and 4th quartile had statistically significant lower fine motor skills assessment related to those grouped in 1st quartile (2nd quartile −1.24, p=0.03; 3rd quartile −1.28, p=0.03; 4th quartile −1.45, p=0.01). The differences in fine motor skills assessments between children in 2nd and 3rd and 3rd and 4th quartile were not statistically significant. Conclusion Intrauterine exposure to low‐level THg (MeHg) is associated with alterations in fine motor skills at the age of 18 months. HighlightsPrenatal exposure to low‐level of methylmercury has a negative effect on fine motor skills in children at 18 months of age.Increase of methylmercury level in cord blood is in direct correlation with the decrease of fine motor skills.Cerebellum and its functions seems to be particularly affected by prenatal exposure to low level of methylmercury.