Family history of syphilism and metal concentrations in the pregnant-baby pair

Prenatal exposure to heavy metals can cause important outcomes in babies, such as prematurity, neurological disorders and reduced birth weight and length. Under the concept of genetic polymorphisms, different studies discuss the existence of individual susceptibility based on genetic susceptibility to the effects of heavy metal exposure due to alterations or deficiencies in the enzymatic systems involved in their metabolism. Homeopathy also presents this discussion on individual susceptibility under the diathesis syphilism model, in which the possible presence of this predisposition (syphilinism) in an individual’s genetic inheritance is evaluated through directed family history.

The present research aims to evaluate the distribution of metal concentrations of public health interest in relation to the history of syphilinism in a population of pregnant women and their newborns (mother-baby pairs) residing in an urban metropolis area. To this end, information was collected from the pregnant women concerning birth, maternal and family history of syphilinism, as well as maternal and umbilical cord blood samples for the analysis of the following metals: arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. The study population consisted of 76 pregnant women and 69 newborns. The presence of maternal syphilinism was observed in 10% (8) of the pregnant women and familial syphilinism in 35% (24) of the newborns.