Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Developmental Toxicology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041, Guangdong, China.
Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China.
Environ Geochem Health. 2019 Feb;41(1):309-321. doi: 10.1007/s10653-018-0114-z. Epub 2018 Apr 25.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations between levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) in the PM and blood and physical growth, and development parameters including birth length and weight, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), head circumference, and chest circumference in preschool children from Guiyu (e-waste exposure area) and Haojiang (the reference area). A total of 470 preschool children from Guiyu and Haojiang located in southeast coast of China were recruited and required to undergo physical examination and blood tests during the study period. Birth length and weight were obtained by birth records and questionnaire. Pb and Cd in both PM and blood were significantly higher in Guiyu than Haojiang. Remarkably, the children of Guiyu had significantly lower birth weight and length, BMI, and chest circumference when compare to their peers from the reference area (all p value < 0.05). Spearman correlation analyses showed that blood Pb was negatively correlated with height (r = -0.130, p < 0.001), weight (r = -0.169, p < 0.001), BMI (r = -0.100, p < 0.05), head circumference (r = -0.095, p < 0.05), and chest circumference (r = -0.112, p < 0.05). After adjustment for the potential confounders in further linear regression analyses, blood Pb was negatively associated with height (β = -0.066, p < 0.05), weight (β = -0.119, p < 0.001), head circumference (β = -0.123, p < 0.01), and chest circumference (β = -0.104, p < 0.05), respectively. No significant association between blood Cd, Cr, or Mn was found with any of our developmental outcomes. Taken together, lead exposure limits or delays the growth and development of preschool children.
本研究旨在探讨环境空气中 PM 中铅（Pb）、镉（Cd）、铬（Cr）和锰（Mn）水平与学龄前儿童体格生长和发育参数（包括出生时的身长和体重、身高、体重、体重指数（BMI）、头围和胸围）之间的关系。研究共纳入来自中国东南沿海揭阳市贵屿镇（电子废物暴露区）和潮州市湘桥区（参照区）的 470 名学龄前儿童。在研究期间，所有儿童均接受了体格检查和血液检测。通过出生记录和问卷调查获得儿童出生时的身长和体重。结果发现，贵屿镇 PM 和血液中的 Pb 和 Cd 水平明显高于湘桥区。与参照区的同龄人相比，贵屿镇儿童的出生体重和身长、BMI 和胸围明显较低（均 P 值<0.05）。Spearman 相关分析显示，血 Pb 与身高（r=-0.130，P<0.001）、体重（r=-0.169，P<0.001）、BMI（r=-0.100，P<0.05）、头围（r=-0.095，P<0.05）和胸围（r=-0.112，P<0.05）呈负相关。进一步在多元线性回归分析中调整潜在混杂因素后，血 Pb 与身高（β=-0.066，P<0.05）、体重（β=-0.119，P<0.001）、头围（β=-0.123，P<0.01）和胸围（β=-0.104，P<0.05）呈负相关。血 Cd、Cr 和 Mn 与我们的任何发育结局均无显著关联。综上所述，Pb 暴露会限制或延迟学龄前儿童的生长发育。
