Prenatal exposure to dental amalgam and risk of symptoms of attention‐deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

In a large, prospective cohort study, we found no indication of increased risk of ADHD-related symptoms in children prenatally exposed to mother's amalgam fillings.

A Comparison of Salivary Mercury Levels in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder When Compared to Age-matched Controls: A Case-control Observational Study

“…12 This finding could explain the observations of Lygre et al, who found that the association between the presence of a maternal dental amalgam restoration and ADHD was inversely associated with the age of the child. 13 While the metabolism of mercury in children is beyond the scope of this study, the results of this study seem to suggest that future research could look into the possible reasons Differences in superscript denote difference significant at p < 0.05 when compared using the Tukey's highest significant difference (HSD) test for this inverse association between age and mercury levels as it is related to ADHD.…”

“…There have been several studies to show that the trace amounts of mercury found in vaccines or in dental products may be associated with ADHD; however, the models proposed fail to prove a causal relationship. [12][13][14] Saliva is a useful noninvasive screening tool for several heavy metals, including mercury. Salivary analysis of mercury provides a relatively easy measure to compare mercury levels in children with ADHD and those without ADHD.…”

“…Salivary analysis of mercury provides a relatively easy measure to compare mercury levels in children with ADHD and those without ADHD. [15][16][17][18] While few studies have successfully shown increased mercury levels in the blood, urine, and saliva of individuals with ADHD, 13,14,19 there has been no systematic attempt made to evaluate the age, demographic, or oral health factors that could influence the levels of mercury in the saliva of children with ADHD when compared to age-and gender-matched controls.…”

Annual review of selected scientific literature: A report of the Committee on Scientific Investigation of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry

“…A second study of ADHD investigated the association of prenatal exposure to mercury from the mother's amalgam restorations and symptoms related to ADHD. 254 The study population was part of the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study where data were collected on 42 163 children at 3 years of age and 23 392 children at 5 years of age. No significant association was identified between the number of teeth with amalgam fillings, amalgam fillings placed or removed during pregnancy, and symptoms related to ADHD in children at either age.…”

Themed issue on child oral health

“…Risk factors for dental caries are investigated by Hong et al in Britain (added sugars), while Matsuyama et al report on the influence of self‐control on that disease in Japanese children. Lygre et al investigate maternal amalgam exposure as a risk factor for attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder among Norwegian children. Aspects of fluoride are reported on by Ibiyemi et al (in Nigerian children) and by Mohd Nor et al (for Malaysian children).…”