Assessment of Nutritional Status of Infants Living in Arsenic-Contaminated Areas in Bangladesh and Its Association with Arsenic Exposure

Abstract

Data is scarce on early life exposure to arsenic and its association with malnutrition during infancy. This study followed the nutritional status of a cohort of 120 infants from birth to 9 months of age in an arsenic contaminated area in Bangladesh. Anthropometric data was collected at 3, 6 and 9 months of the infant’s age for nutritional assessment whereas arsenic exposure level was assessed via tube well drinking water arsenic concentration at the initiation of the study. Weight and height measurements were converted to Z-scores of weight for age (WAZ-underweight), height for age (HAZ-stunting), weight for height (WHZ-wasting) for children by comparing with WHO growth standard. Arsenic exposure levels were categorized as <50 μg/L and ≥50 μg/L. Stunting rates (<−2 SD) were 10% at 3 months and 44% at both 6 and 9 months. Wasting rates (<−2 SD) were 23.3% at 3 months and underweight rates (<−2 SD) were 25% and 10% at 3 and 6 months of age, respectively. There was a significant association of stunting with household drinking water arsenic exposure ≥50 μg/L at age of 9 months (p = 0.009). Except for stunting at 9 months of age, we did not find any significant changes in other nutritional indices over time or with levels of household arsenic exposure in this study. Our study suggests no association between household arsenic exposure and under-nutrition during infancy; with limiting factors being small sample size and short follow-up. Difference in stunting at 9 months by arsenic exposure at ≥50 μg/L might be a statistical incongruity. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to establish any association.

Arsenic speciation and concentration in the urine of infants in Xiamen, China：A cross-sectional survey

“…Since the methylation capacity is lower than that of adults, the effect of As toxicity on the growth and development of infants deserves attention. Long-term ingestion of arsenic in food or water will inhibit the immune function of infants, resulting in slow growth and development [58], weight loss and underweight [59]; some studies have found that the neurotoxicity of As will affect the intelligence of adult children, possibly by affecting acetylcholinease activity at synapses [60,61]. We need to further strengthen the monitoring of metal content in the food intake of infants and nursing mothers, and at the same time, we need to strengthen the effect of environmental arsenic pollution on the accumulation of As in food, and control the risk of As exposure from the food source.…”

Patterns of and risk factors for malnutrition among under-five years children attending a nutrition clinic, Egypt

“…5 Early-life malnutrition, such as undernutrition of the mother during pregnancy, nonexclusive breastfeeding, inadequate supplemental feeding, and a high prevalence of enteric illnesses, as well as poor hygiene practices, result in growth restriction in children. [6][7][8] Stunting is increasingly recognized as a major global health concern, with various high-profile projects such as Scaling Up Nutrition, the Zero Hunger Challenge, and the Nutrition for Growth Summit focusing on it. Stunting is also at the heart of the World Health Assembly's six global nutrition targets for 2025, and it has been proposed as a leading indicator for the post-2015 development agenda.…”