Maternal and fetal cadmium and selenium status in normotensive and hypertensive pregnancy.

Cadmium and selenium concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid were determined in 37 normotensive and 23 hypertensive women during the last trimester of pregnancy in relation to their smoking status. Thiocyanate concentration in plasma was used as the index of smoking status. Cadmium and selenium were determined with atomic absorption spectrometry (graphite furnace and mercury hydride system).