HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEAVY METALS AND ORGANOPHOSPHATES DURING PREGNANCY

Öz

The effects of heavy metals on the developing fetus during pregnancy vary depending on the duration and level of exposure, as well as genetic factors. Exposure to heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and selenium can disrupt fetal neuronal development, leading to permanent damage. In addition, both heavy metals and organophosphates may cause DNA damage, increase the risk of preterm birth or miscarriage, and disrupt hormonal balance, thereby predisposing to various developmental anomalies. Prenatal exposure to heavy metals has also been reported to negatively affect physical growth indicators such as birth weight, height, and head circumference. Pregnant women can be exposed to heavy metals and organophosphates through environmental pollutants (e.g., exhaust gases, industrial waste), cosmetic products (e.g., hair dyes, makeup), and particularly seafood consumption. In women with occupational or environmental exposure to these substances, irreversible health problems in the newborn may be observed either in relation to the birth process or in the postnatal period. Therefore, exposure to heavy metals and organophosphates during pregnancy is of critical importance for both maternal and fetal health. The aim of this review is to examine the short- and long-term effects of such exposure during pregnancy and to evaluate potential preventive measures against these risks.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Heavy Metals
• Pregnancy
• Neuronal Development
• DNA Damage
• Organophosphates

GEBELİKTE AĞIR METALLERİN VE ORGANOFOSFATLARIN SAĞLIK ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ

Öz

Ağır metallerin anne karnında gelişmekte olan fetüs üzerindeki etkileri; maruz kalma süresi, maruziyet düzeyi ve genetik faktörlere bağlı olarak değişiklik göstermektedir. Cıva, kurşun, kadmiyum, arsenik ve selenyum gibi ağır metallere maruziyet, fetal nöronal gelişimi bozarak kalıcı hasarlara yol açabilmektedir. Bunun yanı sıra, ağır metaller ve organofosfatlar DNA hasarına neden olabilmekte, erken doğum veya düşük riskini artırabilmekte, hormonal dengeyi bozarak çeşitli gelişimsel anomalilere zemin hazırlayabilmektedir. Gebelik döneminde ağır metallere maruz kalmanın, doğum ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu ve baş çevresi gibi fiziksel gelişim göstergeleri üzerinde de olumsuz etkileri bildirilmektedir. Gebe kadınlar; çevresel kirleticiler (örneğin egzoz gazları, endüstriyel atıklar), kozmetik ürünler (saç boyası, makyaj malzemeleri) ve özellikle deniz ürünleri yoluyla ağır metal ve organofosfatlara maruz kalabilmektedir. Mesleki veya çevresel yollarla maruz kalan kadınlarda ise, doğum süreciyle ilişkili ya da doğum sonrası dönemde bebekte kalıcı sağlık sorunları gözlenebilmektedir. Bu nedenle, gebelikte ağır metal ve organofosfat maruziyeti hem anne hem de fetüs sağlığı açısından kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu derlemenin amacı, gebelik döneminde ağır metaller ve organofosfatlara maruz kalmanın kısa ve uzun vadeli etkilerini incelemeyi ve bu risklere karşı alınabilecek önlemleri değerlendirmektir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ağır Metaller
• Gebelik
• Nöronal Gelişim
• DNA Hasarı
• Organofosfatlar.

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu çalışmada herhangi bir fon veya destekten yararlanılmamıştır.

Kaynakça

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