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Trace elements in hair of healthy children sampled by age and sex
Insights
Hair trace element levels in neonates, children, and adolescents were analyzed. Levels of copper, zinc, chromium, and bromine increased then decreased, while iron, manganese, and strontium decreased with age, with some sex-based variations observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trace Element Analysis
- Human Hair Composition Studies
- X-ray Emission Spectroscopy Applications
Background:
- Trace elements are essential for human health and development.
- Hair serves as a valuable biomonitor for long-term exposure to trace elements.
- Understanding age- and sex-related variations in trace element levels is crucial for pediatric health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify hair trace element levels in healthy neonates, children, and adolescents.
- To investigate age-dependent changes in hair trace element concentrations.
- To identify potential sex-specific differences in trace element profiles across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) was employed for trace element analysis.
- Hair samples were collected from 336 healthy individuals across three age groups: neonates, children (6-11 yr), and adolescents (11-16 yr).
- Statistical analysis was performed to assess age and sex-related variations.
Main Results:
- Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and bromine (Br) levels increased from birth to approximately 8 years, then declined.
- Iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and strontium (Sr) levels showed a significant decrease up to 8 years, followed by stabilization.
- Sex differences were noted in Fe, Zn, and Br for children, and in Cu, Cr, and Br for adolescents.
Conclusions:
- Hair trace element concentrations exhibit distinct age-dependent patterns during childhood and adolescence.
- Specific trace elements show varying trends with age, indicating dynamic physiological changes.
- Observed sex differences in certain trace elements highlight the need for age- and sex-specific reference ranges in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Hair trace element (TE) (Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb) levels from 336 healthy subjects were measured by the Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. The subjects were divided in three groups: 157 full-term neonates (75 male and 82 female), 86 children (41 male and 45 female) ages 6 to 11 yr, and 93 adolescents (51 male and 42 female) 11 to 16 yr old. Cu, Zn, Cr, and Br show an increase from birth to 8 yr and then decrease. Fe, Mn, and Sr strongly decrease up to 8 yr and then remain almost stable. Sex differences are present in Fe, Zn, and Br of children and in Cu, Cr, and Br of adolescents.