A scoping review of infant and children health effects associated with cadmium exposure

Abstract

The U.S. FDA initiative, Closer to Zero, identifies actions the agency will take to reduce toxic element exposure from foods eaten by babies and young children with the goal for exposure to be as low as possible. In support of these efforts, this scoping review sought to characterize the available data for primarily dietary cadmium (Cd) exposure and adverse health effects in infants and children. Based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted from 59 epidemiology studies, and organ systems/anthropometric data supported by > 3 studies were discussed further. For children, most data available were categorized into the nervous (full-scale IQ and attention), cardiovascular (blood pressure) and urinary systems. Studies identified a negative association between urinary Cd and full-scale IQ, though this was dependent on age and sex. More data are needed to support the associations between Cd exposure and adverse nervous system effects. Studies suggested no association between Cd exposure and blood pressure. Data on renal effects in children were too few and diverse to draw conclusions. For infants, anthropometric measurements and birth timing were studied the most. Some studies found a negative relationship between Cd exposure and birthweight, particularly in females. This finding needs further investigation.