Long-Term Effects of Arsenic Poisoning during Infancy Due to Contaminated Milk Powder: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pediatric Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Arsenic poisoning is a global health concern with acute and chronic toxicity.
• Infantile exposure to arsenic, particularly through contaminated products, poses significant long-term risks.
• Existing literature on long-term infant arsenic exposure outcomes requires systematic synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review long-term health outcomes following arsenic poisoning during infancy.
• To assess the impact of arsenic exposure via contaminated milk powder on multiple organ systems.
• To synthesize evidence on the lifelong health consequences of early-life arsenic exposure.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases up to May 2025.
• Included seven studies with 15,701 participants, performing risk and quality assessments.

Main Results:

• Arsenic poisoning in infancy is linked to increased all-cause mortality, malignancies, and neurological disorders.
• Exposed individuals showed reduced adult height, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and increased cancer incidence.
• Long-term effects include dental issues (enamel hypoplasia), skin abnormalities, and impacts on genitourinary, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

Conclusions:

• Infantile arsenic poisoning from contaminated milk powder has profound, multifaceted, and lifelong health consequences.
• Early-life arsenic exposure is a critical determinant of long-term health, necessitating specialized medical surveillance.
• Urgent reevaluation of regulatory arsenic standards in infant nutrition is required to prevent recurrence.