Investigation of exposure to heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr) as the cause of congenital anomaly cases (orofacial cleft) in infants.

Orofacial cleft (OFC) is one of the most common congenital defects, with worldwide cases occurring in approximately 1:700 to 1:1000 births. This incidence is among the highest birth defects in Indonesia, and the incidence rate in Bandung Regency (14.69%) is the second-highest in West Java province. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of heavy metal factors that accumulate in infants to the risk of OFC in Bandung Regency. The method was used by testing heavy metals Hg, Pb, Cd, Co, and Cr in infant blood. The total sample were 54 samples, where the case respondent of 32 and 22 respondents as the control group. Blood samples were analyzed using ICP-MS Agilent 7900. The correlation using statistic analyze namely chi-square analysis (bivariate) and multiple logistic regression (multivariate). The results showed that there was a significant difference in the concentration of heavy metals Hg, Pb, and Cd as well as an increase in Pb and Cd in the infant's blood which was thought to be significantly associated with the risk of OFC.