Contribution of heavy metals to developmental disabilities in children

Myers, Gary J.; Davidson, Philip W.; Weitzman, Michael; Lanphear, Bruce P.

doi:10.1002/(sici)1098-2779(1997)3:3<239::aid-mrdd4>3.0.co;2-k

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Toxic metals such as lead (Pb) are of particular public health concern given their near ubiquitous distribution and persistency in nature [1]. Although lead naturally occurs in the earth’s crust, its presence in the human environment has increased steadily with the growth of industry [2]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stunting is associated with blood lead concentration among Bangladeshi children aged 2-3 years

et al. 2016

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BackgroundLead toxicity is of particular public health concern given its near ubiquitous distribution in nature and established neurotoxicant properties. Similar in its ubiquity and ability to inhibit neurodevelopment, early childhood stunting affects an estimated 34 % of children under 5 in low- and middle-income countries. Both lead and stunting have been shown to be associated with decreased neurodevelopment, although the relationship between these childhood burdens is underexplored. The association between lead exposure and stunting has been previously established, yet limited data are available on susceptibility windows.MethodsWhole blood lead samples were collected from rural Bangladeshi children at delivery (umbilical cord blood) and at age 20–40 months (fingerstick blood). Stunting was determined using the Child Growth Standards developed from the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study. Children with height for age < -2 z-scores below the median of the WHO Child Growth Standards were classified as stunted in all analyses.ResultsMedian (IQR) umbilical cord and fingerstick blood lead levels were 3.1 (1.6–6.3) μg/dl and 4.2 (1.7–7.6) μg/dl, respectively. In adjusted multivariable regression models, the odds of stunting at 20–40 months increased by 1.12 per μg/dl increase in blood lead level (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI: 1.02–1.22). No association was found between cord blood lead level and risk of stunting (OR = 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.94–1.00).ConclusionsThere is a significant association between stunting and concurrent lead exposure at age 20–40 months. This association is slightly attenuated after controlling for study clinic site. Additional research including more precise timing of lead exposure during these critical 20–40 months is needed.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-016-0190-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stunting is associated with blood lead concentration among Bangladeshi children aged 2-3 years

et al. 2016

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“…Precoproporphyrin, a specific indicator of heavy-metal toxicity, was also elevated in autistic disorder. That chronic exposure to lead and mercury can contribute to developmental and behavioural disabilities in children is well documented (for example, Myers et al 1997;Landrigan et al 2002;Szpir 2006). For lead, impairment can occur even at relatively low levels (Canfield et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioavailability of trace metals in brownfield soils in an urban area in the UK

Thums

Farago

Thornton

2008

Environ Geochem Health

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Thirty-two brownfield sites from the city of Wolverhampton were selected from those with a former industrial use, wasteland or areas adjacent to industrial processes. Samples (<2 mm powdered soil fraction) were analysed, using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) for 20 elements. Loss on ignition and pH were also determined. A five-step chemical sequential extraction technique was carried out. Single leach extraction with 0.12 M hydrochloric acid of Pb, Cu and Zn in soil was determined as a first approximation of the bioavailability in the human stomach. Some of the sites were found to have high concentrations of the potentially toxic elements Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni. The partitioning of metals showed a high variability, however a number of trends were determined. The majority of Zn was partitioned into the least chemically stable phases (steps 1, 2 and 3). The majority of Cu was associated with the organic phase (step 4) and the majority of Ni was fractionated into the residue phase (step 5). The majority of Pb was associated with the residue fraction (step 5) followed by Fe-Mn oxide fraction (step 3). The variability reflects the heterogeneous and complex nature of metal speciation in urban soils with varied historic histories. There was a strong inverse linear relationship between the metals Ni, Zn and Pb in the readily exchangeable phase (step 1) and soil pH, significant at P < 0.01 level. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the partitioning of Cu, Ni and Zn into step 4 (the organic phase) in soils with a higher organic carbon content (estimated by loss on ignition). Copper was highly partitioned into step 4 as it has a strong association with organics in soil but this phase was not important for the partitioning of Ni or Zn. The fractionation of Ni, Cu and Zn increased significantly in step 3 when the total metal concentration increases (P < 0.01). The Fe-Mn oxide fraction becomes more important in soils elevated in these metals, possibly due to the scavenging of metals by oxides. Cu and Pb extracted by HCl was statistically similar to the sum of the metals in steps 1 to 4 (P < 0.01) and HCl available Zn was statistically similar to the sum of Zn in steps 1 to 3 (P < 0.01). Step 4 (the organic phase) was not an important phase for Zn, so it was concluded that any Cu, Zn and Pb present in soil in a nonresidue phase would be potentially available for uptake into the human system once soil has been ingested.

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“…These challenges are substandard housing, schools, and medical care and a higher likelihood of absent, underemployed, or uneducated parents-all of which can depress cognitive performance (Brown & Pollitt, 1996;Worobey & Worobey, 1996). Ironically, these very same challenges often co-occur in urban, industrial environments where the child may also be exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls or to heavy metals such as lead (Myers, Davidson, Weitzman, & Lamphear, 1997). Children are particularly susceptible to lead toxicity because of their mouthing or pica behavior, frequent outdoor play, and their more efficient absorption of lead via the gastrointestinal tract, relative to adults (Goyer, 1996).…”

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confidence: 99%

Diet and Behavior in At‐Risk Children: Evaluation of an Early Intervention Program

Worobey¹,

Pisuk²,

Decker³

2004

Public Health Nursing

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This study describes outcomes for children enrolled in the Prevention-Oriented System for Child Health Project, an early intervention program aimed at improving health and developmental status in at-risk families. Through a series of home visits by public health nurses, 60 families received lessons on nutrition- and health-related topics determined by the child and family's needs. On two occasions, some 8 months apart, the children were evaluated using the Developmental Assessment of Young Children, and their energy intake over the previous day was recorded. Analyses of the dietary and behavioral records indicated that the children's scores on the physical subtest improved significantly. A number of nutrition-development associations were found at follow-up, suggesting that the intervention was successful. Implications of the results for at-risk children are discussed.

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Contribution of heavy metals to developmental disabilities in children

Cited by 9 publications

References 39 publications

Stunting is associated with blood lead concentration among Bangladeshi children aged 2-3 years

Stunting is associated with blood lead concentration among Bangladeshi children aged 2-3 years

Bioavailability of trace metals in brownfield soils in an urban area in the UK

Diet and Behavior in At‐Risk Children: Evaluation of an Early Intervention Program

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