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Prenatal thallium exposure and poor growth in early childhood: A prospective birth cohort study

Juan Qi1, Yaping Lai1, Chunmei Liang1

  • 1Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China.

Environment International
|December 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal thallium (Tl) exposure may impact early childhood growth, particularly in girls. Umbilical cord Tl levels were linked to reduced weight-for-age and height-for-age in female infants, suggesting sex-specific effects.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Growth and Development
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Thallium (Tl) exposure is a public health concern with potential human health impacts.
  • Previous studies suggest prenatal Tl exposure may affect fetal growth, but its association with early childhood anthropometry is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal thallium (Tl) exposure and anthropometric measurements in children aged 0-2 years.
  • To explore potential sex-specific effects of prenatal Tl exposure on early child development.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective birth cohort study included 3080 pregnant women and their children in China.
  • Serum samples from mothers and umbilical cord blood were analyzed for Tl levels.
  • Child anthropometry (weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height, body mass index-for-age z-scores) was assessed up to 2 years of age using WHO standards.
  • Linear mixed models and stratification by sex were employed to analyze the associations.

Main Results:

  • Median Tl levels were observed in maternal serum (first/second trimester) and umbilical cord serum.
  • Maternal Tl exposure during pregnancy was not significantly associated with child growth parameters.
  • Umbilical cord serum Tl levels were associated with decreased weight-for-age (WAZ) and height-for-age (HAZ) z-scores.
  • Sex-stratified analysis revealed negative associations between umbilical cord Tl levels and WAZ/HAZ in girls, but not in boys.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal thallium (Tl) exposure may exert sex-specific effects on child anthropometry during the first two years of life.
  • Higher umbilical cord serum Tl levels were associated with reduced stature and weight in young girls.
  • These findings highlight the potential impact of Tl exposure on early child development, with a notable difference based on sex.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnthropometryBirth cohortChildPrenatal exposureThallium

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