Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Rearing the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) in Controlled Conditions: A Case Study with Heavy Metal Tolerance
Published on: August 18, 2023
Association Between Urinary Heavy Metals and Developmental Disorders in Children Aged 6-15 Years: A Study Based on
Yanping Liao1, Lingling Zhan1, Hong Li1
1Department of Pediatrics, Longyan First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, China.
Urinary lead and antimony exposure in children are linked to developmental disorders (DDs). This study highlights heavy metals as potential contributors to DDs, emphasizing the need for further research.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Developmental disorders (DDs) impact numerous children globally.
- Urinary heavy metals (UHMs) are environmental contaminants with potential health effects.
- Understanding the relationship between UHMs and DDs is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exposure to nine urinary heavy metals (UHMs) and developmental disorders (DDs) in children and adolescents.
- To identify specific UHMs contributing to DDs.
- To examine the joint effects of UHM mixtures on DDs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2018).
- Included 4525 children and adolescents aged 6-15 years.
- Applied weighted logistic regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and quantile g-computation (qgcomp) models for analysis.
- Adjusted for relevant covariates.
Main Results:
- Urinary lead (Pb) and antimony (Sb) were positively correlated with developmental disorders (DDs).
- A positive joint relationship was observed between the mixture of UHMs and DDs.
- Pb and Sb were identified as the primary contributors to the UHM mixture's association with DDs.
- Sensitivity analyses confirmed consistent findings when defining DDs based on special education or early intervention services.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a correlation between urinary lead and antimony exposure and developmental disorders in children.
- The study indicates a potential joint effect of heavy metal mixtures on DDs.
- Limitations include the cross-sectional design, single-spot urine samples, and heterogeneous outcome definitions, necessitating further longitudinal research for validation.
More Related Videos
09:51TD-DFT Guided Advanced E-Eye Sensing Technique for On-site Quantification of Fe, Cr, F, and As in the Environmental, Biological, and Food Samples
Published on: September 19, 2025
09:23Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
Published on: June 21, 2015
Related Concept Videos
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Periodic Table Provides Information...
The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Toxicity Testing in Animals