Development of scientifically justified proposals on the prevention and treatment of environmentally determined constitutional growth delay in children in the West Kazakhstan region.

Abstract

Environmental pollution in many regions of Kazakhstan poses a threat to the growth and development of local children. For children living the near the Aral Sea, chrome processing and gas processing regions, we undertook a medical examination, including physical and sexual development parameters, laboratory studies (complete blood count, urinalysis, blood chemistry), bone age, blood levels of microelements (chromium, manganese, nickel, lead, copper) and hormones [thyroid (T3, T4, TSH), sexual (LH, FSH), growth (STH, IGF-1)], in consultation with relevant specialist doctors. Statistical analysis showed a significant prevalence of short stature among children living, on average, 22.9 versus 7.8% in the control region. Children in these regions have high blood levels of toxic chromium, manganese, lead and nickel compounds. The main causes of short stature in children living in the Aral Sea, chrome processing and oil and gas processing regions are cerebral-endocrine pathologies, hereditary diseases, somatogenic diseases, constitutional growth delay, a toxic chemical load and ecologically determined short stature. A working classification of short stature in children living in the Aral Sea, chrome processing and gas processing regions, including ecologically dependent short stature, has been developed. The scheme of medical and recreational measures for children living in the Aral Sea, chrome processing and gas processing regions was proposed.