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Association of whole blood essential metals with neurodevelopment among preschool children
Ying Shen1, Wanting Zhang2,3, Huyi Jin2
1Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China.
Insights
Essential metals like magnesium, copper, and zinc are crucial for child neurodevelopment. Lower levels of these metals were linked to a higher risk of developmental delays in preschool children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopment
- Environmental Health
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Essential metals play a critical role in neurodevelopment.
- Research on the combined effects of essential metals on neurodevelopment is limited.
- Preschool children with neurodevelopmental delays often exhibit lower levels of key metals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels and neurodevelopment in preschool children.
- To evaluate the independent and joint effects of these essential metals on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 662 preschool children.
- Quantitative metal measurement using atomic absorption spectroscopy.
- Neurodevelopment screening via the Ages and Stages Questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis using Modified Poisson regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).
Main Results:
- 14.8% of children showed possible neurodevelopmental delays.
- Lower levels of magnesium, copper, and zinc were independently associated with a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental delay.
- These associations were particularly significant in the gross motor and personal-social domains.
- BKMR analysis confirmed a negative association between the essential metal mixture and the risk of delay.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium, copper, and zinc levels are inversely associated with neurodevelopmental delay in preschool children.
- Adequate levels of essential metals are vital for healthy neurodevelopment.
- The findings highlight the importance of essential metals in early childhood neurodevelopment.
Background:
Essential metals may play roles in neurodevelopment. The aim was to evaluate the associations of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) levels with neurodevelopment among preschool children.
Methods:
The medical records of eligible children enrolled between January 2019 and July 2022 were retrospectively reviewed for required information. The quantitative measurement of metals was conducted using atomic absorption spectroscopy, while screening of neurodevelopment was performed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Modified Poisson regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) analyses were used to evaluate the prevalence ratio (PR) of their independent and joint associations.
Results:
662 (14.8%) children were found to have possible neurodevelopmental delays. Modified Poisson regression showed that Mg, Cu, and Zn levels were independently and negatively associated with the risk of neurodevelopmental delay. The PRs (95% CIs) for per log2 increment of the above metals were 0.35 (0.19-0.62), 0.57 (0.42-0.77), and 0.63 (0.42-0.96). These negative associations were more pronounced in the gross motor and personal-social domains while considering the concrete five domains. BKMR showed a negative association of metal mixture with the risk of neurodevelopmental delay.
Conclusion:
Mg, Cu, and Zn were inversely associated with neurodevelopmental delay. Sufficient essential metal levels are important for neurodevelopment.
Impact:
Essential metals play a key role in neurodevelopment. The association of essential metal mixture with neurodevelopment is relatively scarce. Preschool children with possible neurodevelopmental delay are found to have lower Mg, Cu, and Zn levels than their counterparts. Single Mg, Cu, Zn levels, and elevated essential metal mixture are negatively associated with the risk of possible neurodevelopmental delay.
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