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Pregnancy Alert: Hip Implants
Reported March 15, 2010
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Moms with metal hip implants pass metal ions on
to their infants while pregnant. Although the effects of this transmission
aren't yet known, medical device companies are already working on
technologies to reduce the release of ions from implants.
Data from a new study reveals a correlation between levels of cobalt and
chromium in mothers with metal-on-metal (MoM) implants and their infants at
time of delivery.
Maternal and umbilical cord blood was collected from three mothers with MoM
implants at the time of delivery and tested for concentrations of titanium,
nickel, cobalt and chromium. Results show mothers with the implants had
elevated chromium and cobalt levels compared to control subjects.
"Although the effects of metal ions in maternal and fetal subjects are
unknown, the fact that the placenta is not a complete barrier to the
transport of these metals is noteworthy," Joshua J. Jacobs, M.D., professor
and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in
Chicago, Ill., was quoted as saying. "As metal-on-metal implants increase in
popularity and use, especially among young, active patients, women of
child-bearing age and their doctors should be aware of these findings when
considering their hip replacement implant options."
Source: Presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons |
