Barlow P J, Sidani S A, Lyons M
Sci Total Environ. 1985 Mar 15;42(1-2):121-31. doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(85)90012-9.
The paper examines the high incidence of birth defects that still occur in the UK and suggests that it might be possible to reduce this by preparing prospective mothers for parenthood prior to conception. One test in particular is suggested as having a part to play in this preconception screening-that being the hair metals analysis. Such a screening test is useful in identifying both excesses of toxic metals and deficiencies of essential metals. The results from our studies seem to indicate a high proportion of potential mothers as having low levels of manganese, iron and possibly zinc in their hair. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the possible effect on birth defects and the possible routine use of hair metal testing in the pre-conception situation is suggested.
该论文研究了英国仍然存在的高出生缺陷发生率，并提出在怀孕前让准母亲为为人父母做好准备，有可能降低这一发生率。特别提到了一项检测在这种孕前筛查中可以发挥作用，即头发金属分析。这样的筛查测试有助于识别有毒金属过量和必需金属缺乏的情况。我们的研究结果似乎表明，很大一部分准母亲头发中的锰、铁，可能还有锌含量较低。讨论了这些发现对于出生缺陷可能产生的影响的意义，并建议在孕前情况下常规使用头发金属检测。
