Metal and essential element concentrations during pregnancy and associations with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children

Skogheim, Thea Steen; Weyde, Kjell Vegard Fjeldheim; Engel, Stephanie M.; Aase, Heidi; Surén, Pål; Øie, Merete Glenne; Biele, Guido; Reichborn‐Kjennerud, Ted; Caspersen, Ida Henriette; Hornig, Mady; Haug, Line Småstuen; Villanger, Gro Dehli

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106468

Cited by 103 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 97 publications

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“…These elements are also some of the more toxic metalloids. Concern regarding their levels and possible health problems has also been expressed in other studies (46,47,92,99,111,113,123).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Except for the derivative arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ), which has antitumor properties, the levels of As should be maintained in the recommended levels, as high doses can lead to neuronal insulin signaling disruption and the development of malignancies, severe gastrointestinal toxicities, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmias or even death ( 95-97 ). Related neurological problems include lower IQ levels, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorders ( 98 , 99 ). Elevated maternal levels have been associated with maternal hypertension preterm deliveries, low birth weight and even possible spontaneous abortion ( 23 , 24 , 100 , 101 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output

et al. 2021

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The growth and development of the fetus is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by several variables. High quantities of heavy metal ions in the amniotic fluid have been linked to poor health, especially in industrial, polluted and poor areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in the concentration of these ions between preterm (weeks 15-37) and term pregnancies (starting at week 37). Another objective was to compare pregnancies from two cities with different industry levels. Two sample lots from two Romanian cities were analyzed. A total of 100 patients from Timisoara were compared with 60 from Petrosani, a heavy industry city in Romania. Demographic data were collected, and amniocentesis was performed on all women. Lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were assessed. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test for non-parametric data and the Fisher's exact test for categorical data. In addition, categorical data was represented graphically. In the Timisoara cohort, the differences in heavy metal concentrations between preterm and term pregnancies were not statistically significant. In the Petrosani cohort, however, the concentrations of Zn (P=0.02606) and Cd (P=0.01512) were higher in preterm than in term pregnancies. When comparing the two cohorts as a whole, the concentration of Pb (P=0.04513), Cd (P=0.00002), As (P=0.03027) and Zn (P<0.00001) were higher in the patients from Petrosani than in those from Timisoara. Only Cu concentrations were higher in the Timisoara cohort (P<0.00001). The concentrations of Ni (P=0.78150) and Fe (P=0.44540) did not differ statistically. Thus, amniocentesis is an important diagnostic and exploratory tool in determining differences in the concentrations of elements such as heavy metal ions. Research over a longer period of time should be carried out to examine the relation between heavy metal ions concentration and possible postnatal health outcomes.

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“…These elements are also some of the more toxic metalloids. Concern regarding their levels and possible health problems has also been expressed in other studies (46,47,92,99,111,113,123).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output

et al. 2021

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“…MeHg exposure has been described as a risk factor for ADHD, given that the developing nervous system is most sensitive to the neurotoxicity of MeHg [ 70–72 ]; indeed, several studies have shown that mercury exposure, in the form of thimerosal (a mercury-based vaccine preservative), may be positively related to increased occurrence of behavior phenotype of ADHD [ 73 , 74 ]. In addition, the association between prenatal MeHg exposure and the risk of ADHD was shown in a prospective cohort study in the Canadian Arctic and other cross-sectional studies [ 19 , 75 , 76 ]. These studies suggested that cord blood mercury was associated with higher scores of attention problems and scores of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale with ADHD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Developmental exposure to methylmercury and ADHD, a literature review of epigenetic studies

Tinkov

Skalny

et al. 2021

Environmental Epigenetics

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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the competence of academic performance and social wellness in children and adults. The causes of ADHD are unclear. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of ADHD. The behavioral impairments in ADHD are associated with epigenetic changes in genes that are important for neurodevelopment. Among environmental causes of ADHD, the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg) is associated with an increased risk for ADHD. Developing children are susceptible to neurotoxic effects of prenatal MeHg exposure. Human epidemiology studies have shown that prenatal MeHg exposure could invoke epigenetic changes in genes that are involved in ADHD. In addition, the pathogenesis of ADHD involves dopaminergic system, which is a target of developmental MeHg exposure. MeHg-induced alterations in the dopaminergic system have a profound impact on behavioral functions in adults. As a trace level of MeHg (around nM) can induce long-lasting behavioral alterations, potential mechanisms of MeHg-induced functional changes in the dopaminergic system may involve epigenetic mechanisms. Here, we review the relevant evidence on developmental MeHg exposures and the risk for ADHD. We also point out research gaps in understanding environmental causes of ADHD.

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“…One study found that cord blood manganese above the 75th percentile was negatively associated with neurodevelopment scores at age two years, including worse overall neurodevelopment (β = −7.03, p = 0.009) and cognitive (β = −8.19, p = 0.01), and language quotients (β = −6.81, p = 0.01) [118]. One large study of 397 children with ASD and 1034 controls found that maternal blood levels in the highest quartile were associated with an increased risk of ASD (OR = 1.84) (CI: 1.30, 2.59) [119]. Overall, it appears that low levels or unusually high levels of manganese are a problem for fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and psychomotor development.…”

Section: Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-Based Recommendations for an Optimal Prenatal Supplement for Women in the U.S., Part Two: Minerals

et al. 2021

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The levels of many essential minerals decrease during pregnancy if un-supplemented, including calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and possibly chromium and iodine. Sub-optimal intake of minerals from preconception through pregnancy increases the risk of many pregnancy complications and infant health problems. In the U.S., dietary intake of minerals is often below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), especially for iodine and magnesium, and 28% of women develop iron deficiency anemia during their third trimester. The goal of this paper is to propose evidence-based recommendations for the optimal level of prenatal supplementation for each mineral for most women in the United States. Overall, the evidence suggests that optimal mineral supplementation can significantly reduce a wide range of pregnancy complications (including anemia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, hyperthyroidism, miscarriage, and pre-eclampsia) and infant health problems (including anemia, asthma/wheeze, autism, cerebral palsy, hypothyroidism, intellectual disability, low birth weight, neural tube defects, preterm birth, rickets, and wheeze). An evaluation of 180 commercial prenatal supplements found that they varied widely in mineral content, often contained only a subset of essential minerals, and the levels were often below our recommendations. Therefore, there is a need to establish recommendations on the optimal level of mineral supplementation during pregnancy.

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Metal and essential element concentrations during pregnancy and associations with autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children

Cited by 103 publications

References 97 publications

Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output

Heavy metal ion concentration in the amniotic fluid of preterm and term pregnancies from two cities with different industrial output

Developmental exposure to methylmercury and ADHD, a literature review of epigenetic studies

Evidence-Based Recommendations for an Optimal Prenatal Supplement for Women in the U.S., Part Two: Minerals

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