Higher homocysteine concentrations in women undergoing caesarean section under general anesthesia.

To determine whether homocysteine, a risk factor for possible endothelial cell dysfunction, procoagulant effects and premature vascular disease but with a potential nutritional role for fetal and neonatal metabolism and development, is elevated in women at time of elective caesarean section with nitrous oxide general anesthesia. Plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 50 consecutive women, 25 of whom undergoing vaginal delivery and 25 elective caesarean section under nitrous oxide general anesthesia, and in the cord plasma of the respective offspring. Mean (+/-standard deviation) plasma homocysteine levels in the women of the caesarean section group were significantly higher than in the women of the vaginal delivery group (9.

[Lead poisoning in the newborn and infants: an epidemiological study in an area of Northern Italy].

Objective: Lead crosses the placenta and can cause permanent neurological impairment by prenatal poisoning. Blood lead levels higher than 10 mcgr/dl in children age 1 to 2 years may be toxic. In 1991 the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published "Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children" with the new guidelines defining the value of 10 mcgr/dl as the security limit.