Dong Lingling, Li Xiang, Zhang Yue, Liu Bingying, Zhang Xinzhong, Yang Lina
Second Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Apr 15;295:118097. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.118097. Epub 2025 Apr 3.
Behavioral problems in children have been increasingly linked to environmental exposures. Microplastics (MPs), prevalent in urban environments, are emerging contaminants with potential neurodevelopmental effects. This study examines the relationship between urinary MPs and behavioral outcomes among primary school children in Shenyang, China. This study was conducted involving 1000 children aged 6-9 years from 40 schools across Shenyang. Urinary MPs, including polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were quantified using optical microscopy. Behavioral outcomes were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Mixed-effect negative binomial models evaluated associations between MPs and SDQ scores, adjusting for relevant covariates. The median urinary total microplastic concentration was 9 particles/100 mL. Increased particle counts of urinary MPs were positively associated with higher scores for emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Total microplastic levels were linked to increased emotional symptoms (estimate: 0.128, 95 % CI: 0.065-0.198, p < 0.001), conduct problems (estimate: 0.231, 95 % CI: 0.140-0.323, p < 0.001), and hyperactivity (estimate: 0.168, 95 % CI: 0.101-0.235, p < 0.001). Peer relationship issues were also elevated with higher urinary microplastic levels (estimate: 0.206, 95 % CI: 0.133-0.271, p < 0.001). Conversely, prosocial behaviors declined with increased microplastic concentrations (estimate: -0.125, 95 % CI: -0.192 to -0.052, p = 0.001). Stratified analyses indicated no significant differences in these associations between boys and girls. Overall, urinary microplastic concentrations were significantly associated with adverse behavioral outcomes in children, highlighting the potential neurodevelopmental risks of microplastic exposure.
儿童行为问题与环境暴露之间的联系日益紧密。微塑料（MPs）在城市环境中普遍存在，是具有潜在神经发育影响的新兴污染物。本研究调查了中国沈阳小学生尿中微塑料与行为结果之间的关系。本研究对来自沈阳40所学校的1000名6 - 9岁儿童进行。使用光学显微镜对尿中的微塑料，包括聚酰胺（PA）、聚丙烯（PP）和聚氯乙烯（PVC）进行定量。使用优势与困难问卷（SDQ）评估行为结果。混合效应负二项式模型评估微塑料与SDQ分数之间的关联，并对相关协变量进行调整。尿中总微塑料浓度中位数为9颗粒/100 mL。尿中微塑料颗粒计数增加与情绪问题、行为问题、多动和同伴问题得分较高呈正相关。总微塑料水平与情绪症状增加相关（估计值：0.128，95%置信区间：0.065 - 0.198，p < 0.001）、行为问题（估计值：0.231，95%置信区间：0.140 - 0.323，p < 0.001）和多动（估计值：0.168，95%置信区间：0.101 - 0.235，p < 0.001）。同伴关系问题也随着尿中微塑料水平升高而增加（估计值：0.206，95%置信区间：0.133 - 0.271，p < 0.001）。相反，亲社会行为随着微塑料浓度增加而下降（估计值： - 0.125，95%置信区间： - 0.192至 - 0.052，p = 0.001）。分层分析表明，男孩和女孩在这些关联上无显著差异。总体而言，尿中微塑料浓度与儿童不良行为结果显著相关，突出了微塑料暴露潜在的神经发育风险。
