Estimating daily intake of heavy metals from fish consumption and its association with hemoglobin levels in Indonesian pregnant women

Exposure to heavy metals through food consumption is a crucial chronic exposure pathway and a concern for health effects during pregnancy. We estimated heavy metal exposure among Indonesian pregnant women consuming seafood during pregnancy and its health impact on hemoglobin (Hb) and random blood glucose (RBG) levels, as well as the mother’s hair mercury. Marine (N = 25) and freshwater (N = 6) fish species were collected from seven shelters in the Jepara coastal area. Using heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, and Sn) concentrations and fish consumption data, we estimated the daily intake of heavy metals (DIM) for 173 pregnant women and analyzed the RBG and Hb levels. Marine fish species showed higher levels of all heavy metals. Daily intake of Hg was negatively related to Hb level, and women with anemia showed higher DIM and hair Hg levels. A similar trend was observed for Pb levels. An increased trend in anemia risk with DIM and hair Hg levels remained after adjusting for age, gestational age at blood collection, and body mass index before pregnancy. The DIM of Cd and Sn showed insignificant negative relationship with Hb levels. None of the metal levels were related to the RBG levels. This is first data that indicates the higher DIM, particularly Hg and Pb from seafood intake and hair Hg, is related to Hb, but unrelated to RBG levels in pregnant women in Jepara coastal area of Indonesia.