[Levels of cadmium in pubic hair of women with threatened abortion and in full-term pregnancy].

Concentrations of cadmium were determined in pubic hair of women with threatened abortion and in full-term pregnancy. The aim of the studies was to find differences between the levels of cadmium in pubic hair of women with threatened abortion and in full-term pregnancy and to test whether parity, place of residence and smoking influence the measured levels. A study population consisted of 101 women aged 18-41 years. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was the method employed to determine the concentrations of cadmium. The concentrations of cadmium in pubic hair were elevated in women living in town and were statistically significant higher in smokers in comparison to nonsmokers.