Women with hip implants 'may pass metal ions on to babies'
Published on 10 Mar 2010
New research suggests that women with certain types of hip
implant may pass metal ions to their babies during pregnancy.
Hip replacement
surgery is a treatment option for people with severe osteoarthritis, removing the
damaged joint and replacing it with a synthetic one to relieve pain
and restore mobility.
The ball of the joint and the surface of the socket are often
both made of metal, and ions can be released from the implant as
the two surfaces rub against each other.
A small new study, presented at the annual meeting of the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans this week,
has revealed that these metal ions may be passed to women's
offspring during pregnancy.
Researchers analysed three women, all of whom gave birth between
two and six years after receiving a metal-on-metal total hip replacement or metal-on-metal
hip resurfacing.
Tests conducted on maternal and umbilical cord blood at the time
of delivery revealed that both mothers and their babies had
higher-than-expected levels of chromium and cobalt, both of which
are found in metal hip implants.
The babies typically had cobalt levels that were half as high
and chromium levels that were around 15 per cent of those found in
their mothers.
Dr Joshua Jacobs, professor and chairman of orthopaedic surgery
at Rush University Medical Centre, emphasised: "We don't know
whether metal ions pose any health risks for pregnant women and
their babies."
But he cautioned: "As metal-on-metal implants increase in
popularity and use, especially among young, active patients, women
of child-bearing age and their doctors need to be aware of these
findings when considering options for hip replacements."
Arthritis Research UK is currently funding research into
metal-on-metal hip resurfacing to find out if there are any
possible biological side effects, and whether the amount of metal
released from the implant has any effect on human cells.
©
Adfero Ltd