Relation between serum folate status and blood mercury concentrations in pregnant women

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relation between maternal serum folate status and blood mercury in pregnant Korean women.MethodsThe nutritional status of folate and the blood mercury concentration were measured in pregnant Korean women who participated in a multicenter prospective study from 2006 through 2011. We analyzed existing blood mercury data based on serum folate status at two gestational time points (mid and late pregnancy, n = 1105 and 841, respectively).ResultsSerum folate concentrations in pregnant women were negatively associated with blood mercury concentrations at mid and late pregnancy (P trend = 0.012 and 0.002, respectively). A general linear model developed after adjusting for covariates indicated a significant negative association between the two at mid and late pregnancy.ConclusionWe found a negative association between serum folate and blood mercury concentrations in pregnant Korean women.