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<p>Prenatal exposure to trace metal elements remains a significant public health concern, particularly because these elements can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in fetal tissues. Meconium and neonatal hair are commonly used as non-invasive biomarkers of intrauterine exposure; however, their comparative behavior and degree of agreement remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to quantify concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in paired meconium and neonatal hair samples and to evaluate differences and associations between these two biological matrices. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 healthy full-term neonates in Latakia, Syria, during August 2025. Paired meconium and neonatal hair samples were collected within the first 24 h after birth. Following microwave-assisted acid digestion, trace metal concentrations were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Due to non-normality, paired comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and correlations were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. All four trace metal elements were detected in both matrices. Meconium concentrations were consistently higher than those measured in neonatal hair, with statistically significant differences observed for all analyzed elements (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Correlation analysis showed weak and non-significant associations between meconium and neonatal hair concentrations for Pb, Cr, and Ni, while Cd showed a modest but non-significant correlation. These findings indicate limited agreement between the two biological matrices. Meconium exhibited higher trace metal concentrations than neonatal hair, suggesting a broader accumulation of prenatal exposure. However, the weak correlations between matrices indicate that they may capture different exposure characteristics rather than serving as interchangeable biomarkers. Further studies incorporating maternal and environmental data are needed to better interpret these differences.</p><p><i>Trial registration</i>: Not applicable.</p>

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Paired analysis of meconium and neonatal hair reveals distinct biomarker profiles of prenatal exposure to trace metal elements

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月21日

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  • Mohammad Mouner Ahmad Alsayegh,
  • Batool Adnan Sallom,
  • Ekbal Ahmad Fadel,
  • Flora Yahya Mayhoub

摘要

Prenatal exposure to trace metal elements remains a significant public health concern, particularly because these elements can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in fetal tissues. Meconium and neonatal hair are commonly used as non-invasive biomarkers of intrauterine exposure; however, their comparative behavior and degree of agreement remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to quantify concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in paired meconium and neonatal hair samples and to evaluate differences and associations between these two biological matrices. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 healthy full-term neonates in Latakia, Syria, during August 2025. Paired meconium and neonatal hair samples were collected within the first 24 h after birth. Following microwave-assisted acid digestion, trace metal concentrations were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Due to non-normality, paired comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and correlations were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. All four trace metal elements were detected in both matrices. Meconium concentrations were consistently higher than those measured in neonatal hair, with statistically significant differences observed for all analyzed elements (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed weak and non-significant associations between meconium and neonatal hair concentrations for Pb, Cr, and Ni, while Cd showed a modest but non-significant correlation. These findings indicate limited agreement between the two biological matrices. Meconium exhibited higher trace metal concentrations than neonatal hair, suggesting a broader accumulation of prenatal exposure. However, the weak correlations between matrices indicate that they may capture different exposure characteristics rather than serving as interchangeable biomarkers. Further studies incorporating maternal and environmental data are needed to better interpret these differences.

Trial registration: Not applicable.