Elevated serum lead and cadmium levels associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia in children aged 6 to 9 years in Shenzhen, China.

Exposure to heavy metals can influence on metabolism, but studies have not fully evaluated young children. We investigated the association between levels of serum lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As) and risk of dyslipidemia in children. A total of 4513 children aged 6 to 9 years at 19 primary schools in Shenzhen were enrolled. Overall, 663 children with dyslipidemia were matched 1:1 with control by sex and age, and levels of serum Pb, Cd, Cr, and As were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Demographic characteristics and lifestyle were covariates in the logistic regression to determine the association of heavy metal levels with risk of dyslipidemia. Serum Pb and Cd levels were significantly higher in children with dyslipidemia than controls (133.08 vs. 84.19 µg/L; 0.45 vs. 0.29 µg/L; all P < 0.05), but this association was not found in Cr and As. We found significant upward trends for the odds ratios (ORs) of dyslipidemia associated with increasing quartiles of Pb and Cd levels (highest quartile of serum Pb OR 1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-2.38; Cd OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.94-3.24). Elevated serum Pb and Cd levels were associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia among children.

Neonatal Weight and Prenatal Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: This research studied the relationship between maternal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and neonatal birth weight through systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature. METHODS: We searched for all the studies published in MEDLINE / PUBMEDN / EMBASE (Medical Abstract Database) by June 2018, and seven studies had been selected. RESULTS: The results showed that there was significant correlation between birth weight reduction and PCBS exposure throughout pregnancy (ß=-0.586g, 95%CI:-0.629,-0.543). There was a negative correlation between birth weight and PCBs exposure and umbilical cord serum (ß=-0.833g) and maternal serum (ß= -0.504g).Subgroup analyses showed significantly different effects of PCBs exposure on birth weight in different regions, stages of pregnancy and study designs. It was thought the heterogeneity was mainly caused by geographical regions, stages of pregnancy, and the assessment methods. CONCLUSION: The meta analysis revealed a negative correlation between PCBs exposure and birth weight but there was significant difference in the correlation between birth weight loss.