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

Concentrations of lead 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 lead 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 lead. The lead levels were significantly higher in pubic hair of women with threatened abortion; as compared to the healthy gravidas at term and nonpregnant controls the hair levels of lead were elevated in smokers in comparison to nonsmokers.