Effects of early and recent mercury and lead exposure on the neurodevelopment of children with elevated mercury and/or developmental delays during lactation: A follow-up study.

Effects of early and recent mercury and lead exposure on the neurodevelopment of children with elevated mercury and/or developmental delays during lactation: A follow-up study. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2020 Sep 18;230:113629 Authors: Al-Saleh I, Moncari L, Jomaa A, Elkhatib R, Al-Rouqi R, Eltabache C, Al-Rajudi T, Alnuwaysir H, Nester M, Aldhalaan H Abstract This follow-up study of 82 children investigated the potential impact of early and recent exposure to mercury and lead on their neurodevelopmental performance at 5-8 years of age (2017-2018). Early exposure of these children to mercury, methylmercury, and lead was assessed during lactation at 3-12 months old, as well as their mother's exposure using measurements from a cross-sectional study (2011-2013). Only infants who failed to pass the neurodevelopment screening tools and/or had elevated mercury were included in this study. Urine and hair were sampled during the follow-up study to assess the children's recent exposure to mercury, methylmercury, and lead. Their cognitive performance and visual-motor integration were also measured using the Test of Non-Verbal Intelligence (TONI) and the Beery-Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI), respectively. The association between alterations in urinary porphyrins excretion and exposure to metals was analyzed and their influence on the children's neurodevelopment was explored. Linear regression models revealed a significant negative associat...
Source: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Int J Hyg Environ Health Source Type: research