Mankato Clinic Participates in Study

Subject: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For more information on this media advisory, contact Mankato Clinic Public Relations Director Katie Nerem Roth at 389-8770 or 327-8112.

The Mankato Clinic -- in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health -- is participating in a study to explore the correlation between nitrate levels in drinking water and methemoglobin hemoglobin (metHgb) levels in pregnant women. When nitrate levels are too high, hemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen in the body. When this happens in babies it is called "Blue Baby Syndrome" (because babies may turn blue from the lack of oxygen in their blood).

Since May of last year, 200 women have been enrolled in the study; however, an additional 200 are still needed. The study is scheduled to continue through September of 2005. The Mankato Clinic is recruiting pregnant women who get their water supply from either public water systems or private wells to participate in the study. The specific objectives of the study are to:

  1. Measure methomoglobin in women and their newborn infants who are exposed to a range of nitrate levels primarily below the maximum contaminant level for public water supplies;
  2. Measure metHgb levels throughout pregnancy and evaluate how metHgb levels change during and just after pregnancy;
  3. Test water supplies of participants for nitrates and other contaminants that can aggravate metHgb (such as copper, sulfate, and fecal coliform);
  4. Determine the correlation between metHgb levels in maternal blood and oxidative stress as assessed by blood glutathione (GSH) levels, and whether there is an association with the occurrence of pregnancy complications in a subset of participants; and
  5. Provide education and advice to: (1) Women whose metHgb levels are elevated and/or, (2) Women whose water supplies have elevated nitrate levels with regard to the potential hazards of infant metHgb.

Women who are interested in learning more about the study can call the Mankato Clinic OB/GYN department at 389-8528.

Katie Nerem Roth
Public Relations Director
Mankato Clinic
(507) 389-8770