Prenatal and Postnatal Mercury Exposure, Breastfeeding and Neurodevelopment During the First 5 Years

Marques, Rejane C.; Dórea, José G.; Bernardi, José Vicente Elias; Bastos, Wanderley Rodrigues; Malm, Olaf

doi:10.1097/wnn.0b013e3181a72248

Cited by 54 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In the past, studies advised against breast feeding for a long period in fishing communities (Grandjean et al, 1994). At present, the benefits of breast feeding in terms of the neurodevelopment of children living in stressful environments are generally considered to outweigh the risks of mercury poisoning (Jensen et al, 2005, Marques et al, 2009. However, in this study, women breast-fed their children for a long time (mean age of weaning: 16.8 ± 6.5 months (Beneficeet al, 2006)), and could be an issue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fishing activity, health characteristics and mercury exposure of Amerindian women living alongside the Beni River (Amazonian Bolivia)

Bénéfice

Luna-Monrroy

Lopez-Rodriguez

2010

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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Populations in Bolivian Amazonia are exposed to mercury contamination through fish ingestion. A group of 170 Amerindian women living along the banks of the Beni River were examined in order to detect any adverse effects on their health consistent with the toxic effects of mercury. The mercury content of the women's hair (H-Hg) was used as the bio-indicator of mercury exposure. The women answered a 24-hour food recall questionnaire on the frequency of their fish consumption. They also underwent a clinical examination with their weight, stature, hemoglobinemia hemoglobin concentration in blood, and blood pressure being recorded. Significant relationships were found between fishing practices, the frequency of fish consumption and H-Hg levels with mercury contaminated women (H-Hg > 5 µg/g) being more likely to present neurological abnormalities (paresthesia, static and dynamic imbalance, poor motor coordination) than non-contaminated women.. No relationship was found between blood pressure and mercury levels. Women with higher H-Hg reported more infant deaths than did women with lower levels. A logistic regression analysis which included socio cultural traits, fish consumption habits and health characteristics was performed in order to determine the risks of contamination. Contaminated women were more likely to belong to those communities pursuing traditional fishing activities; moreover these women tended to be younger and frailer than other. They also exhibited mild neurological abnormalities and reported more infant deaths. These findings should stimulate local communities to take preventive actions directed towards the more "traditional" and vulnerable groups of population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fishing activity, health characteristics and mercury exposure of Amerindian women living alongside the Beni River (Amazonian Bolivia)

Bénéfice

Luna-Monrroy

Lopez-Rodriguez

2010

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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“…In French Guiana, these vaccines are available free of thimerosal. However, breast-fed children do overcome sensitivity to early Hg exposure (which also includes vaccine ethylmercury) as measured by neurobehavioural tests at 5 years of age; (45) the effects of breast-feeding on improved performance of neurobehavioural tests have been established and partly attributed to high concentrations of PUFA (46) . Furthermore, comparing the high fish consumption of subsistence riverine children (Western Amazon) with those who rarely ate fish, a striking difference in HHg (fiftyeight times) was seen, but no significant differences in the results of neurocognitive tests (35) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydroelectric reservoir inundation (Rio Madeira Basin, Amazon) and changes in traditional lifestyle: impact on growth and neurodevelopment of pre-school children

Marques

Dórea

McManus

et al. 2010

Public Health Nutr.

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Objective: To assess the dependence on fish consumption of families and its impact on nutritional status and neurodevelopment of pre-school children. Design: Cross-sectional study that measured children's hair mercury (HHg) as an indicator of family fish consumption, growth (anthropometric Z-scores, WHO standards) and neurological (Gesell developmental scores (GDS)) development. Setting: Traditional living conditions among families residing in the area adjacent to the Samuel Dam (Western Amazon) hydroelectric reservoir. Subjects: Two hundred and forty-nine pre-school children (1-59 months of age) from families transitioning from the traditional Amazonian lifestyle. Results: Family fish consumption was significantly correlated with children's HHg concentration (Spearman's r 5 0?246, P , 0?0001); however, HHg had no significant association with growth (Z-scores). Overall, the prevalence of severe malnutrition, i.e. stunting (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) # 23), underweight (weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) # 23) and wasting (weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) # 23) was 5?2 % (n 13), 0 % and 0?8 % (n 2), respectively. The prevalence of moderate stunting (HAZ $ 23 to # 22), underweight (WAZ $ 23 to # 22) and wasting (WHZ $ 23 to # 22) was 8?8 % (n 22), 2?4 % (n 6) and 4?8 % (n 12), respectively. Although 76 % of the children showed adequate GDS (.85), multiple regression analysis showed that fish consumption (as HHg) had no impact on GDS, but that some variables did interact significantly with specific domains (motor and language development). Conclusions: The study showed that the families' shift in fish consumption had no negative impact on the growth of young children and that ensuing methylmercury exposure has not been a noticeable neurodevelopmental hindrance.

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“…Examinations on Amazonian population revealed no clear effects, however the validity of results are restricted due to methodological deficiencies such as insufficient information on prenatal exposure (Chevrier et al, 2009) and a relevant percentage of children with vaccination with thiomersalcontaining preparations (Dórea, 2007;Marques et al, 2007;Marques et al, 2008;Marques et al, 2009;Marques et al, 2011).…”

Section: Study Locationmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, almost half of these children had been vaccinated with thimerosal-containing preparations, so that observed effects could not only be attributed to MeHg intake by fish (Dórea, 2007;Marques et al, 2008;Marques et al, 2009;Marques et al, 2011 The present document has been produced and adopted by the bodies identified above as author(s). This task has been carried out exclusively by the author(s) in the context of a contract between the European Food Safety Authority and the author(s), awarded following a tender procedure.…”

Section: Amazonian Regionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collate the literature on toxicity data on mercury in experimental animals and humans (Part I – Data on organic mercury)

Hassauer

Kaiser

Schneider

et al. 2012

EFSA Supporting Publications

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It was the scope of this project to collate, compile and summarise the scientific literature on the toxicity of methyl mercury, inorganic mercury and total mercury in humans and experimental animals published since 2002 and not evaluated in former JECFA risk assessments. Epidemiological data on MeHg toxicity confirmed former findings on an association between prenatal exposure and developmental neurotoxicity. Recent findings also support an influence of methyl mercury on the cardiovascular and immune system. Existing epidemiological data reveal several shortcomings limiting their suitability for risk assessment. Developmental neurotoxicity seems to be the most critical effect of MeHg in animals. A LOAEL of 0.01 mg/kg b.w. per day has been reported in young mice for locomotor activity exposed in utero. Rats seem to be less sensitive towards this endpoint: a NOAEL of 0.04 mg/kg b.w. per day has been reported in this species for locomotor activity. Systemic effects other than neurotoxicity have been mostly observed at higher doses than those producing neurotoxicity. No qualified epidemiological data appropriate for the evaluation of the toxicity of inorganic mercury after oral intake have been identified due to several limitations of the studies, e.g. small study group, insufficient control for confounders, inadequate exposure assessment. Toxicological studies in experimental animals widely confirmed former findings with respect to the target organs (neuro-, liver-, kidney-, immune-and reproductive toxicity, oxidative stress). The animal studies indicate that there might be relevant toxicological effects (developmental toxicity, liver toxicity) of inorganic mercury at dose levels similar or below the BMDL 10 value used for the derivation of the existing PTWI. However, due to some limitations of the studies no final conclusions can be drawn from these studies and the findings need further confirmation.

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Prenatal and Postnatal Mercury Exposure, Breastfeeding and Neurodevelopment During the First 5 Years

Abstract: Until there is more refined approach to recognize children sensitive to Hg exposure, and in situations of uncertainty (EtHg exposure), the neurodevelopment benefit of breastfeeding should be recommended.

Cited by 54 publications

References 26 publications

Fishing activity, health characteristics and mercury exposure of Amerindian women living alongside the Beni River (Amazonian Bolivia)

Fishing activity, health characteristics and mercury exposure of Amerindian women living alongside the Beni River (Amazonian Bolivia)

Hydroelectric reservoir inundation (Rio Madeira Basin, Amazon) and changes in traditional lifestyle: impact on growth and neurodevelopment of pre-school children

Collate the literature on toxicity data on mercury in experimental animals and humans (Part I – Data on organic mercury)

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