Time-trends of blood lead levels from 2020 to 2023 in pregnant and breastfeeding women from Adjara, Georgia-A birth registry-based study.

Background: In response to substantial lead exposure, the autonomous republic of Adjara in Georgia initiated complementary blood lead level (BLL) testing for pregnant women as part of their antenatal care services in 2020.

Objectives: To study the background BLLs in pregnant and breastfeeding women in Adjara and explore the time-trends of BLLs from September 2020 to July 2023.

Methods: We used data on BLLs during pregnancy or postpartum from the lead screening program in Adjara, combined with data from the Georgian Birth Registry, totaling 9,510 women.