Pregnant Women Exposure to Heavy Metals and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnant women are exposed to heavy metals through the consumption of contaminated food, water, and air. Toxic heavy metals are among the most dangerous environmental pollutants and can cause hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. This study aimed to review the exposure of pregnant women and fetuses to heavy metals, their relationship with pregnancy blood pressure disorders, and strategies to reduce exposure.

Materials and Methods: In this narrative review study, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were used to search for scientific published papers between 2005 and 2025 with the main keywords "Pregnant women,” "Maternal Exposure,” "Heavy metals,” "Hypertension," and "Blood pressure.”

Results: The most important exposure routes for pregnant women to heavy metals are contaminated drinking water and food, cosmetics, dental practices, cigarette smoke, and indoor and ambient air pollutants. The most influential heavy metals on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in pregnant women are lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu). Heavy metals disrupt the function of endothelial cells by producing free radicals and causing oxidative stress and increasing lipid peroxides, which can cause hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Therefore, lifestyle modification and the use of safety foods containing iron, calcium, and selenium, as well as a healthy diet containing protein, dairy products, especially milk, vegetables, and organic fruits, can play a significant role in reducing exposure to heavy metals and expelling these from the body.