Cadmium Exposure During Pregnancy and Fetal Growth

Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal naturally present in the environment, whose human exposure has increased over recent decades due to diffuse anthropogenic contamination, particularly related to industrial activities and the use of mineral phosphate fertilizers in agriculture. Cadmium is characterized by its bioaccumulative properties and well-established toxicity, including renal and bone damage and carcinogenic effects. In pregnant women, several animal and human cohort studies have shown that cadmium can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in placental tissue. Placental cadmium exposure has been associated with impaired placental function and adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal growth restriction and increased neonatal morbidity. In the general population without occupational exposure, diet represents the main source of cadmium exposure, apart from tobacco smoking. Fetal