Elsevier

Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Volume 17, Issue 2, March–April 1995, Pages 151-160
Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Article
Prenatal and perinatal lead exposures alter acoustic cry parameters of neonate

https://doi.org/10.1016/0892-0362(94)00066-MGet rights and content
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Abstract

We performed acoustic analyses on cries elicited from a subset of healthy babies born to the Mexico City Prospective Lead Study at 2 days (n = 75), 15 days (n = 176), and 30 days (n = 166). Lead was measured in maternal blood every 8 weeks during pregnancy from week 12 to delivery and in umbilical cord (1–38 μ/dL, 0.05–1.84 μmol/L). Percent nasalization and number of cries decreased in babies born to mothers with higher lead levels in the last two trimesters while median fundamental frequency increased in babies born to mothers with higher lead at 12 weeks of pregnancy, and with higher cord lead in multiple regression analysis. Decreased percent nasalization was related to increased brainstem auditory evoked response latencies and interpeak intervals in a subset of the sample. The results suggest an effect of gestational exposure to lead on apparatus innervated by cranial nerves and/or lead effect on cry mediated by lead-altered auditory function. Altered baby cry and auditory function associated with lead might contribute to developmental delays by affecting early communication between caretaker and baby.

Keywords

Acoustic analysis
Neonatal cries
Prenatal and perinatal lead (Pb)
Brainstem
Auditory evoked response
Development

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