< Back to Previous Page New York Medical Research On Stillbirths and Lead Poisoning Prenatal exposure is another route through which some children are exposed to lead. If a pregnant woman has lead in her blood, the lead can cross the placenta to the fetus. Research shows that an elevated BLL in the newborn may be associated with post-natal developmental delays. In addition, lead poisoning in pregnant women may be associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, pre-term delivery, and pregnancy-related hypertension. Elevated maternal blood lead levels may be the result of recent exposure to lead or may reflect exposure earlier in life. Research indicates that women who received substantial exposure to lead as children may have bone stores of lead that will be mobilized during pregnancy, resulting in exposure of the fetus to elevated maternal blood lead. This suggests that any increase in emigration from countries where individuals are likely to be exposed to lead may result in an increase in the number of children with prenatal exposure to lead. Protecting children from prenatal exposure to lead will require:  Educating prenatal health care providers about the importance of complying with NY State requirements that they: 1. Provide anticipatory guidance on lead poisoning prevention to all pregnant women. 2. Assess, at the first prenatal visit, the woman’s risk of high-dose lead exposure. 3. Test, or refer for blood lead testing, pregnant women found to be at risk. 4. Provide pregnant women who have a BLL = 10 µg/dL with risk reduction counseling and refer those with possible occupational exposure to an occupational health clinic. Providing prenatal care providers with guidelines for medical management of pregnant women with elevated BLLs in order to minimize exposure to the fetus. Educating women of child-bearing age about ways to avoid exposure to lead and about the importance of blood lead testing at the first prenatal visit. Since February 2001, LPPP has been providing services for pregnant women with elevated BLLs and for their children.