Research progress on effect of prenatal heavy metal exposure on offspring neurodevelopment

As major environmental pollutants, heavy metals can enter the maternal body through various pathways during pregnancy, cross the placental barrier, and subsequently induce toxic effects in offspring. Prenatal heavy metal exposure not only indirectly impairs fetal neurodevelopment by compromising maternal health, but also directly damages the fetal nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier. This can lead to neurobehavioral and cognitive impairments after birth and increase the risk of various neurological disorders. The underlying mechanisms primarily include oxidative damage, excitotoxicity, calcium ion imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and epigenetic modifications. This review summarizes the effects of prenatal exposure to heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and manganese, on offspring neurodevelopment, and explores the underlying mechanisms, aiming to provide a reference for epidemiological and experimental research.