Po-Chin Huang1, Pen-Hua Su2, Hsin-Yi Chen3, Han-Bin Huang4, Jin-Lian Tsai5, Hsin-I Huang1, Shu-Li Wang6. 1. Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Special Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan. 4. Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan. 5. Graduate Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Health Science, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 6. Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: slwang@nhri.org.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with children's neurodevelopment, even at low doses. Leaded gasoline was banned in Taiwan in 2000 to reduce environmental exposure to Pb. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the neurodevelopmental effect of low-level Pb exposure in young children. METHODS: In 2001-2002, we have recruited 430 pregnant women in the third-trimester in Taichung, Taiwan who answered detailed questionnaires in the obstetric clinic. A total of 119, 76, and 66 children were followed up at 2-3, 5-6 and 8-9 years, respectively. We collected blood samples from pregnant women, Umbilical cord and children, and evaluated children's neurodevelopment and cognition function at all three time points using Bayley and Wechsler tests. Blood samples were analyzed for whole blood lead (BPb) levels. RESULTS: Geometric mean of BPb in pregnant women, cord blood and children at 2-3, 5-6 and 8-9 years old were 2.21, 1.30, 2.48, 2.49 and 1.97 μg/dl, respectively. Low-level postnatal Ln BPb was significantly associated with not only decreasing intelligence quotient (IQ), but also delayed cognitive function in children at 5-8 years (β: -5.97, SE: 2.59, p=0.025), after adjustment for maternal education, maternal BPb exposure, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME), and gender of child, using linear mixed models. No significant relation was observed between prenatal and cord blood Pb levels and children's cognitive function in children 2-8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level postnatal BPb levels in children at 2-5 years may have lagged effects on neurodevelopment in those at 5 to 8 years. Action is warranted to reduce even very low environmental Pb levels to reduce the developmental burden of Pb on children.
BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with children's neurodevelopment, even at low doses. Leaded gasoline was banned in Taiwan in 2000 to reduce environmental exposure to Pb. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the neurodevelopmental effect of low-level Pb exposure in young children. METHODS: In 2001-2002, we have recruited 430 pregnant women in the third-trimester in Taichung, Taiwan who answered detailed questionnaires in the obstetric clinic. A total of 119, 76, and 66 children were followed up at 2-3, 5-6 and 8-9 years, respectively. We collected blood samples from pregnant women, Umbilical cord and children, and evaluated children's neurodevelopment and cognition function at all three time points using Bayley and Wechsler tests. Blood samples were analyzed for whole blood lead (BPb) levels. RESULTS: Geometric mean of BPb in pregnant women, cord blood and children at 2-3, 5-6 and 8-9 years old were 2.21, 1.30, 2.48, 2.49 and 1.97 μg/dl, respectively. Low-level postnatal Ln BPb was significantly associated with not only decreasing intelligence quotient (IQ), but also delayed cognitive function in children at 5-8 years (β: -5.97, SE: 2.59, p=0.025), after adjustment for maternal education, maternal BPb exposure, Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (HOME), and gender of child, using linear mixed models. No significant relation was observed between prenatal and cord blood Pb levels and children's cognitive function in children 2-8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level postnatal BPb levels in children at 2-5 years may have lagged effects on neurodevelopment in those at 5 to 8 years. Action is warranted to reduce even very low environmental Pb levels to reduce the developmental burden of Pb on children.
Authors: Yan Wang; Walter J Rogan; Hsin-Yi Chen; Pau-Chung Chen; Pen-Hua Su; Hsiao-Yen Chen; Shu-Li Wang Journal: Int J Hyg Environ Health Date: 2015-07-09 Impact factor: 5.840
Authors: Lian Liu; Xijin Xu; Taofeek Akangbe Yekeen; Kun Lin; Weiqiu Li; Xia Huo Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 4.223