Laboratory of Medical Investigations, San Cecilio University Hospital, University of Granada, CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 18071 Granada, Spain.
Environ Res. 2010 Jan;110(1):96-104. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.10.005.
The main source of human exposure to mercury is the consumption of fish contaminated with methylmercury, which may adversely affect early neurodevelopment. This study assessed mercury levels in hair of preschoolers in Spain, where fish consumption is elevated, with the aim of investigating the influence of their fish intake and other factors on mercury exposure, and evaluating their association with cognitive development. A population-based birth cohort from Granada (Spain) was studied at the age of 4yr. Total mercury (T-Hg) levels were determined in children's hair, and daily fish intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. The McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities (MSCA) were used to assess children's motor and cognitive abilities. Complete data were gathered on 72 children, and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of mercury exposure and fish intake on MSCA outcomes. Mean concentration of T-Hg in hair was 0.96 microg/g (95% confidence interval=0.76; 1.20 microg/g). T-Hg levels were associated with higher frequency of oily fish consumption, place of residence, maternal age, and passive smoking. After adjustment for fish intake, T-Hg levels > or =1microg/g were associated with decrements in the general cognitive (-6.6 points), memory (-8.4 points), and verbal (-7.5 points) MSCA scores. Higher mercury exposure in children from this Mediterranean area was associated with cognitive development delay. Studies on the putative benefits of fish intake during early development should consider mercury exposure from different fish species.
人类接触汞的主要来源是食用受甲基汞污染的鱼类，这可能会对早期神经发育产生不利影响。本研究评估了西班牙学龄前儿童头发中的汞含量，这些儿童生活在鱼类消费较高的地区，旨在调查他们的鱼类摄入量和其他因素对汞暴露的影响，并评估其与认知发育的相关性。该研究是基于西班牙格拉纳达的一个出生队列进行的，在儿童 4 岁时进行了研究。通过食物频率问卷评估儿童的每日鱼类摄入量，并检测其头发中的总汞（T-Hg）水平。采用 McCarthy 儿童能力量表（MSCA）评估儿童的运动和认知能力。共收集了 72 名儿童的完整数据，并进行了多变量分析，以评估汞暴露和鱼类摄入量对 MSCA 结果的影响。头发中 T-Hg 的平均浓度为 0.96μg/g（95%置信区间=0.76;1.20μg/g）。T-Hg 水平与食用油性鱼类的频率更高、居住地、母亲年龄和被动吸烟有关。在调整了鱼类摄入量后，T-Hg 水平≥1μg/g 与一般认知（-6.6 分）、记忆（-8.4 分）和言语（-7.5 分）MSCA 评分降低有关。来自该地中海地区的儿童体内汞暴露水平较高与认知发育迟缓有关。在早期发育期间，关于鱼类摄入量潜在益处的研究应考虑不同鱼类来源的汞暴露。
