ArticlePediatric research2020
Mercury, lead, and cadmium exposure via red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants.
Article in Pediatric research, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 15 citations in OpenAlex.
- The specifications of blood components for neonatal transfusion: a European study and critical review.Pediatric research · 2026Article
- School-age neurodevelopmental outcomes after non-emergency red blood cell transfusions in preterm infants: a propensity score-matched study from the Epipage 2 cohort.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Observational
- Trace Elements in Different Blood Products Used in Neonatal Transfusion: Arsenic and Selenium.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Article
- [Progress in the clinical application of cord blood transfusion in neonates].Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics · 2025Review
- Quality and stability studies of red blood cell concentrates from umbilical cord blood compared to their adult counterparts.Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue · 2025Article
- Fetal exposure to toxic metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic) via intrauterine blood transfusions.Pediatric research · 2025Article
- Red cell transfusion related toxic metals exposure for fetus and newborns: an under-recognized public health concern.Pediatric research · 2025Article
- Review
- New frontiers in neonatal red blood cell transfusion research.Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association · 2023Review
- Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium Concentrations in Blood Products Transfused to Neonates: Elimination Not Just Mitigation.Toxics · 2023Article
- Heavy metals from donor blood and breast milk products in the NICU.Pediatric research · 2022Article
- Red blood cell transfusions in preterm newborns and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 and 5 years of age.Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue · 2022Article
- Feasibility of umbilical cord blood as a source of red blood cell transfusion in preterm infants.Blood transfusion = Trasfusione del sangue · 2021Observational
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMercury, lead, and cadmium are developmental neurotoxicants. We predict that preterm newborns requiring packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions may be exposed to neurotoxic doses. We explored the relationship between donor concentration, number of donors, number of transfusions and mercury, lead and cadmium exposure.
methodsSingle-donor PRBCs were analyzed for mercury, lead and cadmium concentration. Dose per transfusion was calculated and compared to intravenous reference doses (IVRfDs). Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate donor and infant exposure.
resultsThirty-six infants received 268 transfusions from 94 donors. Number of donors and transfusions were significantly correlated with birthweight and gestational age. All three metals were detected in ≥95% of donor PRBCs. Number of donors was significantly associated with cumulative dose, and there was a significant correlation between mercury and lead doses/transfusion. IVRfDs were exceeded for mercury and lead in 8.6% and 38% of transfusions, respectively. None exceeded the IVRfD for cadmium. For lead, infants exposed to three donors had more transfusions exceeding IVRfD than those exposed to 1-2 donors.
conclusionsPreterm infants are exposed to heavy metals via transfusions. Doses exceeded the IVRfDs for mercury and lead. Cadmium did not pose a risk. Prescreening donor blood could reduce exposure risk.
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