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Early-life exposure to aluminum and fine motor performance in infants: a longitudinal study
Rui Ma1, Kefeng Yang2,3,4, Cheng Chen5,6
1Ministry of Education and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Insights
Early-life exposure to aluminum (Al) was linked to poorer fine motor skills in infants by 12 months. This study investigated aluminum
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Aluminum (Al) is a known neurotoxicant.
- Limited data exists on infant neurodevelopmental effects of early Al exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between early-life aluminum exposure and neurodevelopment in healthy infants.
- To assess neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 and 12 months of age.
Main Methods:
- Nail Al concentrations measured in 747 newborns.
- Neurodevelopment assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) at 6 and 12 months.
- General linear regression models used to analyze associations.
Main Results:
- No association between early Al exposure and neurodevelopment at 6 months.
- A significant association was found between higher Al levels and lower fine motor scores at 12 months (P-trend < 0.01).
- No associations observed for communication, gross motor, problem-solving, or personal-social skills at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Early-life aluminum exposure may negatively impact fine motor skills in infants.
- Findings suggest a potential dose-response relationship between Al exposure and fine motor deficits at 12 months.
Background:
Aluminum (Al) is a well-established neurotoxicant. However, little is known about its effects on the neurodevelopment of infants.
Objectives:
To examine early-life exposure to Al in relation to neurodevelopment in healthy infants.
Methods:
Nail Al concentrations were measured among 747 newborn babies within 6 months of delivery in the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Neurodevelopment was assessed using Ages and stages questionnaire (third edition, ASQ-3) at ages 6 and 12 months. General linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations between Al concentrations and ASQ-3 scores.
Results:
After adjustment for potential confounders, early-life exposure to Al was not associated with any neurodevelopmental performance at age 6 months. However, Al level was associated with an increased risk of having a low fine motor score (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, mean difference (MD): -1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): -3.22, -0.05; P-trend < 0.01) at 12 months. No association was found for communication, gross motor, problem-solving, or personal-social score at 12 months.
Significance:
Early-life exposure to Al may be associated with poor fine motor skills in a dose-response manner among apparently healthy infants at age 12 months.
