Children's Exposure Research Articles

Environmental exposure to melamine and its derivatives and kidney outcomes in children

Melamine caused acute nephrotoxicity in a past food adulteration incident, but it is unclear whether and how widespread ambient exposure to melamine and related compounds might affect pediatric kidney health. We assessed cross-sectional associations between childhood exposure to melamine and its derivatives and biomarkers of kidney injury and health and explored potential heterogeneity by sex suggested by sex-dependent differences in renal physiology. We measured melamine and its derivatives ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid (CYA) in spot urine samples collected from 192 children from an urban site (Seattle, WA) and 187 children from a rural site (Yakima, WA) aged 4–8 years in the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) Study. In addition, biomarkers of kidney injury were measured in the same urine samples, including albumin, total protein, KIM-1, NAG, NGAL, and EGF. We utilized linear regressions to examine associations between individual chemical exposures and kidney biomarkers. Interaction terms examined association modification by sex, as well as potential interactions between melamine and CYA. Despite comparable exposures, girls had higher levels of many kidney injury biomarkers compared to boys. A ten-fold higher melamine concentration was associated with a 18% (95% CI: 5.6%, 31%) higher EGF in the full sample, while ten-fold higher melamine was associated with a 76% (14.1%, 173%) higher KIM-1 in boys but not in girls (−10.1% (−40.6%, 36.1%), interaction p = 0.026). Melamine exhibited significant negative interactions with CYA in association with total protein and NAG that appeared to be specific to girls. Our results suggest possible associations between melamine exposure and markers of kidney injury that may be more pronounced in boys. These findings provide novel insights into melamine and related derivative compound health effects at low levels of exposure in children and emphasize the role of sex in mediating the relationship between nephrotoxicant exposure and kidney injury.

Association of exposure to phthalates and phthalate alternatives with dyslexia in Chinese primary school children.

Previous studies have shown associations between children's exposure to phthalates and neurodevelopmental disorders. Whereas the impact of exposure to phthalate alternatives is understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the association of exposure to phthalates/their alternatives with the risk of dyslexia. We recruited 745 children (355 dyslexia and 390 non-dyslexia) via the Tongji Reading Environment and Dyslexia Research Project, and their urine samples were collected. A total of 26 metabolites of phthalates/their alternatives were measured. Multivariate logistic regression and quantile-based g-computation were used to estimate the associations of exposure to the phthalates/their alternatives with dyslexia. More than 80% of the children had 17 related metabolites detected in their urine samples. After adjustment, the association between mono-2-(propyl-6-hydroxy-heptyl) phthalate (OH-MPHP) with the risk of dyslexia was observed. Compared with the lowest quartile of OH-MPHP levels, the odds of dyslexia for the third quartile was 1.93 (95% CI 1.06, 3.57). Regarding mixture analyses, it was found that OH-MPHP contributed the most to the association. Further analyses stratified by sex revealed that this association was only observed in boys. Our results suggested a significantly adverse association of di-2-propylheptyl phthalate exposure with children's language abilities. It highlights the necessity to prioritize the protection of children's neurodevelopment by minimizing their exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals like di-2-propylheptyl phthalate.

Pervasive environmental chemicals impair oligodendrocyte development.

Exposure to environmental chemicals can impair neurodevelopment, and oligodendrocytes may be particularly vulnerable, as their development extends from gestation into adulthood. However, few environmental chemicals have been assessed for potential risks to oligodendrocytes. Here, using a high-throughput developmental screen in cultured cells, we identified environmental chemicals in two classes that disrupt oligodendrocyte development through distinct mechanisms. Quaternary compounds, ubiquitous in disinfecting agents and personal care products, were potently and selectively cytotoxic to developing oligodendrocytes, whereas organophosphate flame retardants, commonly found in household items such as furniture and electronics, prematurely arrested oligodendrocyte maturation. Chemicals from each class impaired oligodendrocyte development postnatally in mice and in a human 3D organoid model of prenatal cortical development. Analysis of epidemiological data showed that adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes were associated with childhood exposure to the top organophosphate flame retardant identified by our screen. This work identifies toxicological vulnerabilities for oligodendrocyte development and highlights the need for deeper scrutiny of these compounds' impacts on human health.

Phthalate Exposure and Neurotoxicity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to assess the relationship between prenatal and childhood exposure to phthalates and neurodevelopmental outcomes, identifying periods of heightened susceptibility. Data sources considered studies examining repeated phthalate exposure during pregnancy and childhood on neurodevelopment. Methods: Evaluation included bias risk and study quality criteria. Evidence was synthesized by groups of low and high phthalate molecular weight and exposure measured prenatally and postnatally and outcome measured in childhood. Beta coefficients and their standard errors were extracted, leading to meta-analyses of various neurodevelopmental outcomes: cognition, motor skills, language, behavior, and temperament. Results: Eleven pregnancy and birth cohort studies were identified as relevant. For each phthalate group and outcome combination, there was low or very low evidence of an association, except for prenatal and postnatal phthalate exposure and behavioral development and postnatal exposure and cognition. Conclusion: The estimated effects sizes were relatively small and strong evidence for periods of heightened susceptibility could not be elucidated. No distinction between phthalates of low molecular weight and those of high molecular weight with regards to the outcomes was found.

Effects of Screen Time and Phonemic Segmentation in School Going Children

Background: The rapid proliferation of digital devices has significantly altered children's exposure to screen time, raising questions about its impact on their cognitive and language development. Previous research has indicated both potential benefits and drawbacks of screen time, particularly concerning phonological awareness and language skills in young children. This study seeks to explore the relationship between screen time and phonemic segmentation abilities, a critical component of phonological awareness, in school-going children. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the amount of screen time and phonemic segmentation abilities in children aged 4 to 7 years, accounting for variables such as age, gender, and parental education levels. Methods: Conducted at the Department of Speech and Language Pathology, PSRD College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Lahore, this study utilized a cross-sectional design with a sample size of 253 children from various schools. The inclusion criteria were children with normal speech and language development who had exposure to digital devices, excluding those with phonological disorders or developmental delays. The YOPP-Singer Test of Phonemic Segmentation was employed to assess phonemic awareness. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with ANOVA and Pearson Correlation tests to examine the relationship between screen time and phonemic awareness. Results: Among the participants, 56.1% were in kindergarten, with a gender distribution of 40.3% male and 59.7% female. Parental education varied, with 34.8% holding bachelor's degrees and 24.5% having M.Phil. qualifications. The majority of children (51.8%) reported 1 hour of screen time daily. The ANOVA test revealed no significant difference in phonemic segmentation abilities across different screen time durations (F=.526, p=.665). However, a Pearson Correlation analysis indicated a slight, non-significant positive correlation between screen time and phonemic segmentation abilities (r=.110, p=.080). Conclusion: The study suggests that the amount of screen time, within certain limits, is not significantly associated with phonemic segmentation abilities in children aged 4 to 7 years. These findings highlight the complexity of screen time's impact on language development, suggesting that factors beyond the duration of screen exposure, such as content quality and parental involvement, may play critical roles.

The longitudinal association of adverse events and working memory among preschoolers: A random-intercept cross-lag analysis.

Past research examining the relation between adversity and working memory (WM) has found mixed results and has been limited by methodological issues (e.g., cross-sectional studies, limited measurement of adversity). The present study examined how adverse life events may impact WM among preschoolers who live in financially underresourced families and communities longitudinally over the course of 1 year. The sample included 325 children (aged 3-5 at baseline), recruited because of their increased risk of exposure to high levels of adversity, and their primary caregivers. Children completed WM tasks and caregivers reported on their child's exposure to adverse events in the past 6 months across three time points, each time point occurring 6 months apart. Associations between adverse life events and WM over time were explored using a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model. No relations between preschoolers' adverse event exposure and WM (B = 0.05-0.75, p = .056-.764) were found across the three time points. Results indicated that at the individual level, when controlling for stable covariates, frequency of adverse life event exposure and WM abilities were unrelated to subsequent frequency of adverse event exposure and WM abilities. Findings suggest that WM may continue to develop typically, in the preschool years, despite exposure to adverse life events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

General Anesthesia Exposure in Infancy and Childhood: A 10-year Bibliometric Analysis

PurposeHeated discussions have divided healthcare providers and policy makers on the risks versus benefits of general anesthesia in pediatric populations. We conducted this study to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of general anesthesia in this specific population over the past decade. DesignWe summarized and quantitatively analyzed the studies related to general anesthesia in children and infants over the past decade. MethodsUsing the Web of Science Core Collection as the data source, we analyzed the literature using CiteSpace software, focusing on authors, countries, institutions, keywords, and references to identify hotspots and predict research trends. FindingsA total of 2,364 publications on pediatric anesthesia were included in the analysis, and the number of related publications and citations steadily increased from 2013 to 2022. The United States was the leading country in terms of output, and Univ Toronto was the primary contributing institution. Co-citation analysis revealed that over the past decade, research has mainly focused on the long-term adverse effects of general anesthesia on neurodevelopment and acute perioperative crisis events. Keyword analysis identified infant sedation and drug selection and compatibility as promising areas for development. In addition, improving the quality of perioperative anesthesia will be a major research focus in the future. ConclusionsRecent research in pediatric anesthesia has focused on mitigating adverse effects of general anesthesia in infants and young children and studying pharmacological compatibility of anesthetics. Our study results would assist researchers and clinicians in understanding the current research status and optimizing clinical practice in this field.

Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Abnormalities in Childhood Exposure to Anthracycline Chemotherapy.

Current mortality is low in cases of childhood acute leukemia. Dilated cardiomyopathy induced by anthracyclines remains the main cause of morbidity and mortality during mid-term and long-term follow-up. The aim of our study was to analyze the profile of left ventricular alterations in children treated with anthracyclines and to analyze risks and protective factors, including physical activity. Children and young adults with acute leukemia treated with anthracyclines between 2000 and 2018 during childhood were included. The physical activity performed by the patients before and after treatment was quantified in metabolic equivalent tasks, MET.h, per week. An echocardiographic assessment was performed, including strain analysis. Thirty-eight patients with a median age of 5 [3-8] years were included. Dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed in 3 patients and longitudinal strain abnormalities were observed in 11 patients (28.9%). Radiotherapy, cumulative anthracycline doses > 240 mg/m2, and the practice of physical activity > 14 MET.h per week (after leukemia treatment) were independently associated with strain abnormalities. In multivariate analysis, radiotherapy was significantly associated with an increased risk of LV GLS abnormalities (OR = 1.26 [1.01-1.57], p = 0.036), and physical activity > 14 MET.h/week after oncological treatment was significantly associated with a reduction in the risk of LV GLS abnormalities (OR of 0.03 [0.002-0.411], p = 0.009). The strain assessment of left ventricular function is an interesting tool for patient follow-up after leukemia treatment. Moderate and steady physical activity seems to be associated with fewer longitudinal strain abnormalities in patients treated with anthracyclines during childhood.

Abstract 67: Childhood Adversity and Young Adult Cardiovascular Health: Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS)

Introduction: Adversity during childhood, usually measured as retrospectively, is associated with long-term health. We examined associations of prospectively assessed childhood adversity with young-adult (YA) cardiovascular health (CVH). Methods: We included 1155 YAs with adversity measures from baseline Y0 (birth), Y1, Y3, Y5, Y9, and who completed a CVH exam at Y22 in the FFCWS. An adversity score (AS) (range: 0-7) represented the number of adverse childhood exposures experienced by age 9 out of 7 categories - emotional abuse and neglect; physical abuse and neglect; parental incarceration, parental substance use, and interpersonal violence. CVH was estimated using the Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score (range: 0-100 points) overall and for each component, excluding sleep due to data unavailability. Linear regression models were adjusted for age and sex. Results: By age 9, 38% of YAs had experiences from 0-2 categories, 30% experienced 3, 21% experienced 4, and 11% experienced 5-7. People with higher AS were more likely to self-identify as Black compared to White, Hispanic, or other. In addition, higher AS correlated with lower BMI and higher nicotine use. Compared to individuals with 0-2 AS, an AS of 4 was associated with a 3.6-point (CI: -6.5 to -0.7) lower (less favorable) LE8 score and an AS of 5-7 was associated with a 4.9-point (CI: -8.5 to -1.3) lower LE8 score. Among individual LE8 components, smoking and physical activity scores varied significantly by AS. Compared with an AS of 0-2, a score of 5-7 was associated with a 13.0-point (CI: -22.9 to -3.1) lower smoking score. For physical activity an AS of 4 and 5-7 were associated with a 12.1-point (CI: -21.8 to -2.3) and a 14.4-point (CI: -26.3 to -2.4) lower PA score, respectively. Conclusions: Higher level of childhood adversity was prospectively associated with lower LE8 scores and worse CVH in young adulthood. Understanding the prospective associations between childhood adversity and CVH can help identify higher risk populations and guide treatment recommendations.

Development and validation of an intervention for childhood trauma and exposure to violence in Vhembe District, South Africa

Most strategies are implemented; however, South Africa needs to evaluate and develop trauma interventions. The study aims to develop, test and validate childhood trauma exposure intervention in the Vhembe district, Limpopo province. Donabedian's structure-process-outcome model will guide the study. The study will employ multiphase mixed methods with five phases. Phase 1 will be a thorough systematic evaluation of literature on childhood trauma and exposure to violence interventions to describe existing interventions. Phase 2, stage 1: Will explore the experiences of children exposed to trauma and violence regarding their experiences of the treatment they received, using semi-structured qualitative interviews. Non-probability purposeful sampling techniques will be used to select participants. The Thoyondou Victim Empowerment's database will select participants. The researchers will conduct semi-structured and unstructured interviews with youngsters exposed to violence and trauma. Stage 2 will be a qualitative study of trauma centre managers and personnel sampled from the contact record. IPA will analyze data. Phase 3 will conceptualize Phase 1 and the empirical phase into Donabedian's SPO framework for Phase 4. Phase 4 develops the intervention using Phase 3′s conceptual framework and tests and validates it.

Long-term consequences of mothers' and fathers' wartime deployments: Protocol for a two-wave panel study.

Multiple adjustment difficulties have been associated with children's exposure to recent parental wartime military deployments, but long-term consequences have not yet been systematically studied. This investigation will assess direct and indirect relationships between exposures to parental deployments early in life and later youth adjustment. Parents' psychological health and family processes will be examined as mediators, and parents' and children's vulnerability and support will be examined as moderators. Archival data will be combined with new data gathered from two children and up to two parents in families where children will be aged 11 to 16 at the first data collection and will have experienced at least one parental deployment, for at least one child prior to age 6. Data are being gathered via telephone interviews and web-based surveys conducted twice one year apart. Outcomes are indicators of children's social-emotional development, behavior, and academic performance. Notable features of this study include oversampling of female service members, inclusion of siblings, and inclusion of families of both veterans and currently serving members. This study has potentially important implications for schools, community organizations and health care providers serving current and future cohorts of military and veteran families.

Linkages between maternal experience of intimate partner violence and child nutrition outcomes: A rapid evidence assessment.

A strong evidence base indicates that maternal caregivers' experience of intimate partner violence [IPV] impacts children's health, cognitive development, and risk-taking behaviors. Our objective was to review peer-reviewed literature describing the associations between a child's indirect exposure to IPV and corresponding nutrition outcomes, with a particular focus on fragile settings in low and middle-income countries [LMICs]. We conducted a rapid evidence assessment to synthesize quantitative associations between maternal caregivers' IPV experience and children's nutrition/growth outcomes (birthweight, feeding, and growth indicators). We included peer-reviewed research, published in English or Spanish after the year 2000, conducted in fragile settings in LMICs. We identified 86 publications that fit inclusion criteria. Amongst all associations assessed, a maternal caregiver's experience of combined forms of IPV (physical, sexual and emotional) or physical IPV only, were most consistently associated with lower birthweight, especially during pregnancy. Women of child-bearing age, including adolescents, exposed to at least one type of IPV showed a decreased likelihood of following recommended breastfeeding practices. Lifetime maternal experience of combined IPV was significantly associated with stunting among children under 5 years of age in the largest study included, though findings in smaller studies were inconsistent. Maternal experience of physical or combined IPV were inconsistently associated with underweight or wasting in the first five years. Maternal experience of sexual IPV during pregnancy appeared to predict worsened lipid profiles among children. Maternal caregivers' experience of IPV is significantly associated with low birthweight and suboptimal breastfeeding practices, whereas studies showed inconsistent associations with child growth indicators or blood nutrient levels. Future research should focus on outcomes in children aged 2 years and older, investigation of feeding practices beyond breastfeeding, and examination of risk during time periods physiologically relevant to the outcomes. Programmatic implications include incorporation of GBV considerations into nutrition policies and programming and integrating GBV prevention and response into mother and child health and nutrition interventions in LMIC contexts.

Characterization and childhood exposure assessment of toxic heavy metals in household dust under true living conditions from 10 China cities

Health hazards caused by metal exposure in household dust are concerning environmental health problems. Exposure to toxic metals in household dust imposes unclear but solid health risks, especially for children. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, a total of 250 household dust samples were collected from ten stratified cities in China (Panjin, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Ningbo, Xi'an, Wuxi, Mianyang, Shenzhen) between April 2018 and March 2019. Questionnaire was conducted to gather information on individuals' living environment and health status in real-life situations. Multivariate logistic regression and principal component analysis were conducted to identify risk factors and determine the sources of metals in household dust. The median concentration of five metals in household dust from 10 cities ranged from 0.03 to 73.18 μg/g. Among the five heavy metals, only chromium in household dust of Mianyang was observed significantly both higher in the cold season and from the downwind households. Mercury, cadmium, and chromium were higher in the third-tier cities, with levels of 0.08, 0.30 and 97.28 μg/g, respectively. There were two sources with a contribution rate of 38.3 % and 25.8 %, respectively. Potential risk factors for increased metal concentration include long residence time, close to the motorway, decoration within five years, and purchase of new furniture within one year. Under both moderate and high exposure scenarios, chromium showed the highest level of exposure with 6.77 × 10−4 and 2.28 × 10−3 mg·kg−1·d−1, and arsenic imposed the highest lifetime carcinogenic risk at 1.67 × 10−4 and 3.17 × 10−4, respectively. The finding highlighted the priority to minimize childhood exposure of arsenic from household dust.

Early childhood exposure to environmental phenols and parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, and trace elements in association with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in the CHARGE study.

A growing body of literature investigated childhood exposure to environmental chemicals in association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, but limited studies considered urinary mixtures of multiple chemical classes. This study examined associations of concurrent exposure to non-persistent chemicals with ADHD symptoms in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delay (DD), and typical development (TD). A total of 549 children aged 2-5 years from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment (CHARGE) case-control study were administered the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). This study focused on the ADHD/noncompliance subscale and its two subdomains (hyperactivity/impulsivity, inattention). Sixty-two chemicals from four classes (phenols/parabens, phthalates, organophosphate pesticides, trace elements) were quantified in child urine samples, and 43 chemicals detected in > 70% samples were used to investigate their associations with ADHD symptoms. Negative binomial regression was used for single-chemical analysis, and weighted quantile sum regression with repeated holdout validation was applied for mixture analysis for each chemical class and all chemicals. The mixture analyses were further stratified by diagnostic group. Aphthalate metabolite mixturewas associated with higher ADHD/noncompliance scores (median count ratio [CR] = 1.10; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.21), especially hyperactivity/impulsivity (median CR = 1.09; 2.5th, 97.5th percentile: 1.00, 1.25). The possible contributors to these mixture effects were di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolites and mono-2-heptyl phthalate (MHPP). These associations were likely driven by children with ASD as these were observed among children with ASD, but not among TD or those with DD. Additionally, among children with ASD, a mixture of all chemicals was associated with ADHD/noncompliance and hyperactivity/impulsivity, and possible contributors were 3,4-dihydroxy benzoic acid, DEHP metabolites, MHPP, mono-n-butyl phthalate, and cadmium. Early childhood exposure to aphthalate mixture was associated with ADHD symptoms, particularly among children with ASD. While the diverse diagnostic profiles limited generalizability, our findings suggest a potential link between phthalate exposure and the comorbidity of ASD and ADHD.

Fear or Anger? Leaders’ Childhood War Trauma and Interstate Conflict Initiation

Abstract How does a leader’s childhood exposure to war influence their propensity to initiate conflicts? While much research explains leaders’ national security policies using their combat and rebel experiences, few scholars have examined the effects of childhood wartime violence. I develop and test two competing arguments about the effects of childhood war trauma on future conflict behavior. One argument expects that leaders exposed to war at a young age will be less likely to initiate conflict because they fear its consequences. An alternative perspective expects that these leaders are more likely to initiate conflict out of anger and a desire for revenge. I test my hypotheses using an original dataset and a research design that reduces inference barriers. Leveraging variations in the level of violence experienced during wartime, I only compare leaders who were exposed to foreign military invasions as children. I find that those who experienced severe war trauma, such as family deaths, injuries, or displacement, are less likely to initiate interstate conflicts than those who did not experience such traumatic events. These effects are substantial, particularly when political constraints are weak. My results suggest that childhood war trauma has a long-term impact on leaders’ conservatism about using force.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trajectories of Firearm Exposure in Childhood

ObjectivesTo examine the longitudinal relationship between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in early life and trajectories of firearm exposure from early to middle childhood (ages 5-9). Study designData from the LONGSCAN (Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect) study were used. The LONGSCAN study was a prospective study in the United States and contained data from 1354 children from age 4 to age 18. Exposure to ACEs was measured through the wave one interview (age 5), and trajectories of firearm exposure were created using data from waves one (age 5) and two (age 9). ResultsTwo trajectories of firearm exposure in childhood were identified: a low exposure group, and a group with persistently-high firearm exposure from ages 5 to 9. ACEs were associated with membership in the high exposure group, and children with four or more ACEs had over twice the odds of membership in the high exposure group compared with children with zero ACEs. ConclusionACE exposure in early childhood is associated with persistently-high exposure to firearms from early to middle childhood. This finding highlights the need for pediatricians to consider screening for both ACEs and firearm exposure in routine examinations, as well as the need for future research to identify and evaluate interventions intended to address exposure to adversity and firearms.

Association between famine exposure during infancy and childhood and the risk of chronic kidney disease in adulthood.

Famine exposure in childhood is proven to be associated with multiple chornic disease in adult but has not been studied with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study was conducted to identify the relationship between famine exposure during infancy and childhood - specifically, the Chinese famine of 1959-1961 - and the risk of adult-onset chronic kidney disease (CKD) among Chinese individuals. This study included 2937 individuals from the Qingdao Diabetes Prevention Program. They were stratified by birth year into infancy-exposed (1956-1958), childhood-exposed (1950-1955) and unexposed (1963-1971) groups. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. CKD was defined as an eGFR of <90 mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean eGFR values for the infancy-exposed and childhood-exposed groups were 107.23 ± 12.53 and 103.23 ± 12.44 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively, both of which were lower than that of the unexposed group (114.82 ± 13.39 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < 0.05). In the crude model, the odds ratio (OR) for CKD was 2.00 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-2.88) in the infancy-exposed group and 2.92 (95% CI: 2.17-3.93) in the childhood-exposed group. Further adjustments for urban/rural residence, body mass index, age, current smoking, type 2 diabetes, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol did not significantly alter the association between famine exposure and CKD. The corresponding ORs were 1.71 (95% CI: 1.17-2.50) and 2.48 (95% CI: 1.81-3.40) for the infancy-exposed and childhood-exposed groups respectively. Famine exposure during infancy and childhood is associated with a long-term decline in eGFR and an increased adult-onset CKD risk. Early intervention for high-risk individuals may mitigate the risk of adult-onset CKD.

Interaction of life-time and early-life exposure to antibiotics and indoor environmental factors on childhood plant allergy

BackgroundDoctor-diagnosed plant allergy (DPA) in children has emerged as a significant global public health concern. However, the role of antibiotics and indoor environmental factors (IEFs) in childhood DPA remains unknown. ObjectiveTo investigate the correlations between childhood DPA and exposure to antibiotics and IEFs during different time periods. MethodsA retrospective cohort study of 8,689 preschoolers was performed in Changsha, China. We collected data on each child's health outcomes, antibiotics use and home environment by a questionnaire, as well as temperature and air pollutants in Changsha, and calculated personal exposure to temperature and pollutants. Multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the independent and joint effects of antibiotics and IEFs on childhood DPA. ResultsLife-time and early-life antibiotics use was associated with childhood DPA with ORs (95% CI) = 1.58 (1.15–2.17) and 1.33 (1.04–1.69), with a higher risk for early-life exposure than later-life exposure. Renovation-specific indoor air pollution (IAP) during pre-birth (1 year before pregnancy and pregnancy) and smoke-specific IAP during early life (pregnancy and first year) had significantly impacts on childhood DPA. Furthermore, dampness-specific allergens throughout lifetime elevated the risk of DPA, with ORs ranging from 1.34 (1.00–1.81) to 1.93 (1.44–2.59). Moreover, life-time and early-life antibiotic use significantly increased the DPA risk attributed to some specific IEFs, such as ETS especially grandparental smoking, exposure during first year and previous year, with a significant interaction. ConclusionsLife-time and early-life exposure to antibiotics and IEFs independently and jointly played key roles in the development of DPA, supporting the “fetal origin of childhood PA” hypothesis.

Assessing school children's personal exposure to PM2.5 in Suva, Fiji

Globally, there is little information on children's personal exposure to particle pollution in developing countries, and hardly any in the Pacific Island Countries. This study was conducted with school children in Suva, Fiji, with the aim of assisting to fill this gap in knowledge. The participants included eighty-four children ranging from 10 to 15 years of age from five schools and two communities, defined as Group A and Group B, respectively. Each child was fitted with a KOALA air quality monitor which measured PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations in real time over 24 h. Time activity diaries (TAD) and questionnaires were used by the students to record the start and end times of each activity in the different microenvironments occupied. For both groups, the PM2.5 concentration averaged over all children showed three distinct peaks in the morning, midday and in the evening. Several CO peaks were formed at different times of the day. The 24-h average CO concentrations for Group A and Group B students were 0.35 mg/m3 and 0.43 mg/m3, respectively. Time spent in the bedroom showed the highest average exposure (94.3 μg/m3, 301.1 μg/m3) and exposure intensity (5.8, 14.3), with the indoor exposure at home being significantly higher than the outdoor exposure for both groups. Based on the information obtained from the time activity diaries, questionnaires and follow-up interviews, the sources of these particles were most probably from cooking, smoking, burning of mosquito repellent coils, resuspension of dust in the classroom.Although this study could not apportion the specific contributions of emissions from cooking, cigarette smoke and mosquito coils, it may be concluded that these are significant sources for children's exposure and should be controlled.

Association and disparities of food insecurity and exposure to violence: analysis of the National Survey of Children's Health.

Lack of access to food is a significant concern for child well-being, and it creates many health disparities and adverse social outcomes. Food insecurity and its many associated risk factors increase parental stress, which are strongly correlated with an increased risk of child abuse and maltreatment. Research now identifies being witness to domestic abuse as a form of child maltreatment, and exposure to violence in the community has been shown to result in similar long-term impacts. Given the potential for lifelong adverse effects from experiencing adverse childhood events involving violence and food insecurity, our primary objective was to assess the relationship between the two and disparities among demographic factors. We conducted an observational study utilizing data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2016-2021. The NSCH is a United States nationally representative survey completed by primary caregivers of one child per home aged 0-17 years. We determined population estimates (n=216,799; n=83,424,126) and rates of children experiencing food insecurity and parent-reported exposure to violence. We then constructed logistic regression models to assess associations, through odds ratios (ORs), between food security and exposure to violence including demographic factors. Among the sample, 5.42 % of children experienced low food security and 7.4 % were exposed to violence. The odds of exposure to violence are 5.19 times greater for children with low food security compared to food-secure children (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.48-6.02). Indigenous and Black children were 7.8 and 6.81 times more likely to experience or witness violence when food insecure compared to food secure White children, respectively (95 % CI: 3.18-19.13, 5.24-8.86 respectively). Food insecurity was associated with increased odds of children experiencing and/or witnessing violence compared to those who were food secure. The interaction between exposure to violence and food insecurity also disproportionately impacts children with specific demographic factors, notably race/ethnicity including multiracial, Indigenous, and Black children. By developing and adapting strategies to improve food security, it is possible to indirectly reduce the rates of childhood exposure to violence and the long-term impacts that result.