Blood Of Children Research Articles

Risk Factors Involved in Postural Disorders in Children and Adolescents.

Postural disorders in children and adolescents have an increasing incidence. The aim of this study was to identify the type of postural defects in school-age and preschool children, as well as the external risk factors determined by an inadequate lifestyle. The research included 134 children aged between 5 and 18 years, in whom postural defects were identified. The project involved an examination of the children's body posture, a survey of the parents to determine the children's lifestyle, blood tests, and spinal X-rays. A significant percentage (76%) of the children included in the study were underweight. The examination of postural defects in the students revealed scoliosis in 21% of the patients, kyphosis in 7.5%, and lordosis in 1.5%, while 70% of the patients presented an association between at least two postural defects. As far as risk factors are concerned, we identified the presence of rickets sequelae in 70% of the patients, the presence of pectus excavatum in 43% of the patients, genu varum in 15%, and flat foot in 12%. Additionally, 90% of the children had an incorrect posture at the desk, while 42% incorrectly carried their backpack on one shoulder only. In terms of diet quality, associations between an inadequate diet and postural disorders were found for kyphosis, scoliosis, and other deformities. In conclusion, postural abnormalities in children have an increased incidence from an early age and are a result of the change in lifestyle in recent years, represented by sedentarism, a lack of physical activity, the excessive use of electronic devices, stress, and an inadequate diet.

013. Black Stools and Vomiting of Blood in Children Caused by Anemia Gravis ec Duodenal Ulcer Pars 2 with Perforation (Wound Healing with Branch A. Cystica Ruptur)

Background: Duodenal ulcers are rare in children but can lead to life-threatening complications such as perforation and severe anemia. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, manifesting as hematemesis and melena, can result in anemia gravis, necessitating urgent intervention. The rupture of a cystic artery branch during the wound healing process adds further complexity to the condition. This case report aims to describe presentation, diagnosis, and management of a child with duodenal ulcer pars 2 complicated by perforation and anemia gravis, with attention to the role of a ruptured cystic artery branch in the wound healing process. Case: A 15-year-old boy presented with a 5-day history of vomiting blood and black stools. Initial evaluation included thorough physical examination, laboratory tests to assess anemia severity, and imaging studies to localize the source of bleeding. The patient underwent emergency surgery for perforated duodenal ulcer and associated hemorrhage. Intraoperative findings revealed rupture of a branch of the cystic artery. The patient was diagnosed with anemia gravis due to gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to a perforated duodenal ulcer. Surgical repair of the perforation and arterial rupture was performed. Postoperatively, the patient's hemoglobin levels improved following blood transfusion and supportive care. The patient recovered without complications. Conclusion: Early recognition of duodenal ulcers with perforation in children is crucial, especially in cases with severe anemia. Prompt surgical intervention and management of associated arterial complications, such as cystic artery rupture, are essential for favorable outcomes. This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex pediatric gastrointestinal emergencies.

Short-Half-Life Chemicals: Maternal Exposure and Offspring Health Consequences-The Case of Synthetic Phenols, Parabens, and Phthalates.

Phenols, parabens, and phthalates (PPPs) are suspected or known endocrine disruptors. They are used in consumer products that pregnant women and their progeny are exposed to daily through the placenta, which could affect offspring health. This review aims to compile data from cohort studies and in vitro and in vivo models to provide a summary regarding placental transfer, fetoplacental development, and the predisposition to adult diseases resulting from maternal exposure to PPPs during the gestational period. In humans, using the concentration of pollutants in maternal urine, and taking the offspring sex into account, positive or negative associations have been observed concerning placental or newborn weight, children's BMI, blood pressure, gonadal function, or age at puberty. In animal models, without taking sex into account, alterations of placental structure and gene expression linked to hormones or DNA methylation were related to phenol exposure. At the postnatal stage, pollutants affect the bodyweight, the carbohydrate metabolism, the cardiovascular system, gonadal development, the age of puberty, sex/thyroid hormones, and gamete quality, but these effects depend on the age and sex. Future challenges will be to explore the effects of pollutants in mixtures using models and to identify the early signatures of in utero exposure capable of predicting the health trajectory of the offspring.

Reclaiming My Womb

In Children of Blood and Bone and The Hunted, Tomi Adeyemi and L.A. Banks reclaim the isolated Black womb and reattach it to the human to which it belongs, thus humanizing Black women. This humanization of Black women combats the dominant narrative that seeks to reduce Black female identities to what their bodies can produce for the Western patriarchy world founded on capitalist exploitation. Their wombs are a counternarrative to the tired trope of the almighty phallus that disfigures phallic power into a deadly weapon, only suitable for destruction. Banks’ and Adeyemi’s placement of symbolic wombs highlights the power of wombs as a space where spirit and body meet to upend oppressive world orders rooted in spiritual darkness. Here, even the phallus achieves greater power. The womb exposes the phallus’s ability to invest life and further incubates that life to create revolution. Together the phallus and womb work to display the necessary fetation of rebellion, resistance, and liberation. Banks and Adeyemi join the scores of Black feminist writers who insist on the unity of Black masculinities and Black feminism to ensure the futurity of Black liberation.

Revealing the links between hair metal(loids) and alterations in blood pressure among children in e-waste recycling areas through urinary metabolomics

Hypertension is prevalent in e-waste recycling areas, and elevated blood pressure in children significantly increases the risk of hypertension in adulthood. However, the associations and toxic pathways between chronic exposure to metal(loids) and elevated blood pressure are rarely investigated. In this study, we measured the levels of 29 hair metal(loids) (chronic exposure biomarkers) and blood pressure in 667 susceptible children from an e-waste recycling area to explore their relationships. Paired urine metabolomics analysis was also performed to interpret potential mechanistic pathways. Results showed that the hypertension prevalence in our recruited children (13.0 %) exceeded the average rate (9.5 %) for Chinese children aged 6–17 years. The top five abundant metal(loids), including lead, strontium, barium, and zinc, demonstrated the most profound associations with elevated systolic blood pressure. Quantile g-computation, weighted quantile sum, and Bayesian kernel machine regression analysis jointly demonstrated a significant association between chronic exposure to metal(loids) mixture and systolic blood pressure. Interestingly, selenium showed significant antagonistic interactions with these four metals, suggesting that supplementing selenium may help children resist the elevated blood pressure induced by metal(loids) exposure. Increased metal(loids) and blood pressure levels were significantly linked to changes in urine metabolomics. Structural equation model indicated that androsterone glucuronide and N-Acetyl-1-aspartylglutamic acid were the significant mediators of the associations between metal(loids) and blood pressure, with mediation effects of 77.4 % and 29.0 %, respectively, suggesting that androsterone glucuronide and N-Acetyl-1-aspartylglutamic acid may be involved in the development of metal-induced blood pressure elevating effect. Girls were more vulnerable to metal(loids)-induced hormonal imbalance, especially androsterone glucuronide, than boys. Chronic exposure to metal(loids) at e-waste recycling sites may contribute to elevated blood pressure in children through disrupting various metabolism pathways, particularly hormonal balance. Our study provides new insights into potential mechanistic pathways of metal(loids)-induced changes in children's blood pressure.

Associations of Placental Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers with Glucolipid Metabolism in Children: A Birth Cohort Study in China.

The maternal intrauterine immune environment may affect offspring long-term health. We aimed to investigate the association between the intrauterine placental immunological milieu and glycolipid metabolic health in children. This study enrolled 1803 mother-child pairs from the Ma'anshan birth cohort (2013-2014). Placental mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein, and interferon-γ) and oxidative stress biomarkers (heme oxygenase-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, and glucose-related protein 78) was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol were assessed at 5 to 6 years old. Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression, binary logistic regression, restricted cubic spline model, and the Bayesian kernel machine regression model. Placental inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, C-reactive protein, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) and oxidative stress biomarkers (heme oxygenase-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, glucose-related protein 78) showed positive associations with children's fasting blood glucose levels. Heme oxygenase-1 and glucose-related protein 78 exhibited negative correlations with children's fasting insulin levels. Elevated IL-6, heme oxygenase-1, hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, and glucose-related protein 78 were associated with increased risk of prediabetes in children. Overall upregulation of placental proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress factors mRNA expression correlated with higher prediabetes risk in children. Bayesian kernel machine regression analysis indicated a joint positive effect of the 12 placental inflammation and oxidative stress mixtures on children's risk of high fasting blood glucose. This exploratory study underscores significant correlations between maternal intrauterine placental inflammation, oxidative stress markers, and offspring fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. These findings highlight the potential role of intrauterine holistic immunity in shaping offspring glucose metabolism health.

An epigenome-wide study of a needs-based family intervention for offspring of trauma-exposed mothers in Kosovo.

Maternal stress and trauma during pregnancy have been shown to influence cortisol levels and epigenetic patterns, including DNA methylation, in the offspring. This study aimed to determine whether a tailor-made family intervention could help reduce cortisol levels in children born to traumatized mothers, and to determine whether it effected offspring DNA methylation. The secondary aim was to determine whether the family intervention influenced DNA methylation aging, a marker of biological aging. A needs-based family intervention was designed to help address relational difficulties and family functioning, and included a focus on family strengths and problem-solving patterns. Women survivors of sexual violence during the Kosovar war in 1998-1999, and their families (children with or without partners) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of a family therapy over a 3-5-month period, or to a waitlist control group. Both mothers and children completed assessments prior to and after the intervention phase. Children's blood samples collected at these two time points were used to measure cortisol and epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns (Illumina EPIC array). Cortisol levels, and genome-wide DNA methylation changes pre-/postintervention were compared between children in the intervention and the waitlist groups. DNA methylation age and accelerated biological aging were calculated. Sixty-two women-child dyads completed the study, 30 were assigned first to the intervention group, and 32 to the waitlist control group. In adjusted linear regression, the family intervention was associated with a significant decline in cortisol levels compared to the waitlist control (β=-124.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -197.4 to -52.1, p=.001). Children in the intervention group, compared to the waitlist control group, showed >1% differential methylation degree at 5819 CpG (5'-C-phosphate-G-3') sites across the genome (p<.01), with the largest methylation difference being 21%. However, none of these differences reached genome-wide significant levels. There was no significant difference in DNA methylation aging between the two groups. We find evidence that a tailored family-based intervention reduced stress levels in the children (based on cortisol levels), and modified DNA methylation levels at a number of sites across the genome. This study provides some preliminary evidence to suggest the potential for tailored interventions to help break the intergenerational transmission of trauma, however, large studies powered to detect associations at genome-wide significant levels are needed.

Changes of oxidative stress in 3D film to be prepared for echocardiography: A randomized controlled study.

Echocardiography (ECHO) is a nonprocedure that causes acute stress in children. Fear, anxiety, and fluctuations in children's blood pressure and heart rate can potentially lead to alterations in echocardiographic measurements. The insufficient research on virtual reality pediatric preparation applications, particularly in the context of echocardiographic procedures, underscores the necessity for additional studies focusing on pediatric patients. This study sought to assess the impact of virtual reality applications tailored explicitly for ECHO on children's oxidative stress levels. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. Forty-eight children (experimental/24, control/24) aged 7 to 12 years who had an ECHO appointment in the pediatric cardiology outpatient clinic in the 3 months from June to August 2019 participated in the study. Participants whose blood analyses showed hemolysis were eliminated, and the study was completed with 37 children in total: 16 children in the experiment and 21 children in the control. Post hoc power analysis was performed for sample adequacy, and the power of the study was found to be 0.99. A 3D film was prepared for the research and applied to the experimental group before the procedure. All children's oxidative stress levels (cortisol, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide) and glutathione levels were checked after ECHO. The stress hormone cortisol and malondialdehyde levels were lower in the 3D-applied experimental group than in the control group. As another crucial anti-stress antioxidant factor, glutathione level increased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < .05). The research revealed that the 3D film used to prepare ECHO reduces the stress parameters associated with heart risk and may affect the ECHO measurements. At the same time, the study also proved the positive effect of 3D film preparation by increasing the anti-stress factor.

Levels of Plasma Endothelin-1, Circulating Endothelial Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Cytokines after Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: Role of Endothelin-1 Regulation.

Congenital heart disease (CHD) can be complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for corrective surgery may cause endothelial dysfunction, involving endothelin-1 (ET-1), circulating endothelial cells (CECs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). These markers can gauge disease severity, but their levels in children's peripheral blood still lack consensus for prognostic value. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in ET-1, cytokines, and the absolute numbers (Ɲ) of CECs and EPCs in children 24 h before and 48 h after CPB surgery to identify high-risk patients of complications. A cohort of 56 children was included: 41 cases with CHD-PAH (22 with high pulmonary flow and 19 with low pulmonary flow) and 15 control cases. We observed that Ɲ-CECs increased in both CHD groups and that Ɲ-EPCs decreased in the immediate post-surgical period, and there was a strong negative correlation between ET-1 and CEC before surgery, along with significant changes in ET-1, IL8, IL6, and CEC levels. Our findings support the understanding of endothelial cell precursors' role in endogenous repair and contribute to knowledge about endothelial dysfunction in CHD.

Lead Poisoning in a Mother and Her Four Children Using a Traditional Eye Cosmetic - New York City, 2012-2023.

Even low levels of lead in children's blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning, and behavioral issues. Adults are also vulnerable to the detrimental health effects of lead exposure. The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene receives blood lead test results for NYC residents and conducts investigations of lead poisoning cases. Blood lead testing of a child aged 4 years in 2012 led to the discovery of blood lead levels above the CDC blood lead reference value of 3.5 μg/dL in the child as well as four other family members over a period of 11 years, including the child's mother and three younger siblings born during 2012-2016. The only potential source of lead exposure identified for all cases was the use of surma, a traditional eye cosmetic, which was found to contain 390,000 ppm lead. The cases in this report highlight the challenges of risk communication when deeply ingrained cultural practices, such as the use of surma, persist despite health warnings. Moreover, they highlight the intergenerational nature of such practices and the need for comprehensive family follow-up once a member is identified as being at risk. These products continue to be available globally, even in places such as the United States where sales are prohibited. Multistakeholder efforts involving local and global engagement could promote reformulation of these products at the countries of origin to eliminate lead as an ingredient.

Determinant Factors of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Java, Indonesia

IntroductionLead poisoning contributes to a significant burden of disease as a toxic substance found in air, soil, and water. In Indonesia, the risk of exposure is high due to the inappropriate recycling of used lead batteries. The objective was to investigate the factors that influence lead levels in children's blood. MethodsThis cross-sectional study assessed blood lead levels (BLLs) in children aged 12–59 months in four communities exposed to used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) recycling activities, comparing them to a control area. The study employed a threshold level of 20 μg/dL to identify high BLLs and utilized a sample size of 324 children from exposed sites and 240 from control sites. Questionnaires, blood lead tests and a home-based assessment for environmental exposures were applied. ResultsThe study participants comprised 295 boys and 269 girls, with an average age of 35 months. Significant disparities in soil lead concentrations median: Q1-Q3 were found between exposed (6581.7 : 2432.6–16647.1) ppm and control areas (253.5 : 158.8–417.1) ppm. Children in exposed areas had 3.9 times higher odds of BLL ≥20 μg/dL. Fathers with BLL ≥20 μg/dL had children with similarly elevated BLLs. Multivariate analysis identified socioeconomic status, study areas, environmental factors (cookware, food ware, spices, house cleaning), and children's behavior (breastfeeding duration) as determinants of elevated BLLs. Reported environmental factors had notable impact on BLLs, with aluminum cookware (aOR = 1.4, 95%CI [1.2–1.6]), food ware materials (aOR = 1.15, 95%CI [1.0–1.3]), type of spices (aOR = 2.7, 95%CI [1.7–48.0]), and house cleaning method (aOR = 2.9, 95%CI [1.2–7.1]). ConclusionThis study highlighted key risk factors affecting children's blood lead levels (BLL) and emphasized the urgency of employing effective strategies to remediate lead-contaminated soils in exposed regions. The findings underscore the need for prompt medical intervention and monitoring for children in these areas, with additional research essential to fully understand lead poisoning pathways in the environment.

Severity of papular urticaria in children is associated with specific IgG4 anti-salivary gland antigens from Aedes aegypti.

Background. Papular Urticaria (PU) is a cutaneous hypersensitivity disorder triggered by hematophagous arthropod bites. Despite being a common condition, especially in tropical environments, many knowledge gaps are observed for this disease. The main objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of humoral immune response to mosquito antigens in children with PU and establish a correlation between this response and the severity of clinical symptoms. Methods. An analytical cross-sectional observational study was carried out. Clinical and sociodemographic data and children's blood samples were collected to measure the specific antibodies from: 1. A. aegypti salivary gland antigens; 2. A. aegypti whole body antigens (both produced in the laboratory of the Center for Health Sciences at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). A PU severity score based on clinical data is proposed to correlate disease severity with antibody reactivity signatures. Results. According to the clinical data, 58.9% of children received high severity scores. A significant statistical correlation was found between patients with high PU severity score and the development of symptoms before the age of two (p = 0.0326) and high IgG4 anti-salivary gland antigens concentration (p less than 0.05). Conclusion. It is suggested that PU severity in children is associated with a high concentration of IgG4 anti-salivary gland antigens from Aedes aegypti. Further studies are recommended to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms involved.

The Possibility Prediction of Inheriting Blood Types in Parents Based on The Child's Allele Combination

The application of predicting the likelihood of blood group inheritance in children based on allele combinations from parents is becoming increasingly relevant. Understanding the combination of alleles that may appear in offspring can provide better insight for individuals and couples in planning families. The existence of an application to predict a child's blood type by using program development to form a family tree based on blood type can provide a clear visual picture of the inheritance of blood type from generation to generation. The purpose of this research is to identify allelic combinations of certain genes that affect a person's blood type and analyze how genetic inheritance occurs from parents to children. This study proves that we can see the likelihood of blood type inheritance of a child by looking at the allele combinations of both parents. This concept can be explained using the concept of a family tree (Tree). By using the Tree concept, we can easily visualize the inheritance of blood groups based on alleles, and facilitate the understanding of the formation of allele combinations that occur in the genetic inheritance process.

Prevalence and predictors of residual antibiotics in children's blood in community settings in Tanzania

ObjectivesChildren account for a significant proportion of antibiotic consumption in low- and middle-income countries, with overuse occurring in formal and informal health sectors. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of residual antibiotics in the blood of children in the Mbeya and Morogoro regions of Tanzania. MethodsThe cross-sectional community-based survey used two-stage cluster sampling to include children aged under 15 years. For each child, information on recent illness, healthcare-seeking behaviour, and use of antibiotics, as well as a dried blood spot sample, were collected. The samples underwent tandem mass spectrometry analysis to quantify the concentrations of 15 common antibiotics. Associations between survey variables and the presence of residual antibiotics were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression. ResultsIn total, 1742 children were surveyed, and 1699 analysed. The overall prevalence of residual antibiotics in the blood samples was 17.4% (296/1699), the highest among children under the age of 5 years. The most frequently detected antibiotics were trimethoprim (144/1699; 8.5%), sulfamethoxazole (102/1699; 6.0%), metronidazole (61/1699; 3.6%), and amoxicillin (43/1699; 2.5%). The strongest predictors of residual antibiotics in the blood were observed presence of antibiotics at home (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.0–4.1) and reported consumption of antibiotics in the last 2 weeks (aOR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6–3.9). However, half (145/296) of the children who had residual antibiotics in their blood, some with multiple antibiotics, had no reported history of illness or antibiotic consumption in the last 2 weeks, and antibiotics were not found at home. DiscussionThis study demonstrated a high prevalence of antibiotic exposure among children in Tanzanian communities, albeit likely underestimated, especially for compounds with short half-lives. A significant proportion of antibiotic exposure was unexplained and may have been due to unreported self-medication or environmental pathways. Incorporating biomonitoring into surveillance strategies can help better understand exposure patterns and design antibiotic stewardship interventions.

Validation of a low-cost lead hazard screening kit for the home environment.

The main sources of lead exposure for children occur in the home environment, yet no low-cost analytical methods exist to screen homes for lead hazards. Previously, an inexpensive (~$20), quantitative lead screening kit was developed in which residents collect soil, paint, and dust samples that are returned to a laboratory for lead analysis using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). This screening kit was initially validated in 2020; it was determined that in situ and ex situ XRF lead measurements on the same samples exhibited strong sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. As a follow-up to the initial validation, an implementation study and further statistical analyses were conducted. Correlation analysis using the results from nearly 400 screening kits identified an overall lack of correlation between sample types, reinforcing the utility of all eight sample locations. Principal component analysis searched for underlying correlations in sample types and provided evidence that both interior and exterior paint are major sources of lead hazards for Indiana homes. The implementation study compared the results of the government-standard lead inspection and risk assessment (LIRA) and the lead screening kit in 107 Indiana homes. In the United States, the LIRA is a thorough inspection of paint, dust, and soil that is usually state mandated in response to a child's elevated blood level and is used to identify where remediation efforts should be focused. The lead screening kit and LIRA agreed on the presence of lead in 79 of the 107 homes tested (74%). Discrepancies in agreement are likely the result of differences in the sample location and number of samples collected by each method. Overall, these results suggest that the lead screening kit is an acceptable resource that could be used to expand the services health departments provide for lead prevention. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1504-1513. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Reducing Pain and Anxiety in the Blood Collection Unit: The Impact of the Child-Friendly Design.

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the effect of a child-friendly design on the pain and anxiety levels during blood draw in children aged 1-3 years and the satisfaction levels of their parents toward the environment in which they receive health care services. Methods: The nonrandomized study was conducted with 158 children aged 1-3 years and their parents. Data were obtained with the "Personal Information Form," "Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale," "Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scale," and "Parental Satisfaction Scale-VAS." Data were collected from the control group before the design and from the intervention group after the design. Results: During the blood draw, the VAS Anxiety score of the children in the intervention group was 3.17 ± 1.44 and that of the control group was 7.00 ± 2.51 (t = 246.500, p < .001). The FLACC score was 3.94 ± 1.65 in the intervention group and 7.32 ± 2.51 in the control group (t = 915.000, p < .001). The mean satisfaction scores of the parents in the intervention group for the environment where they received health care were 10.00 ± 0.00, and those of the parents in the control group were 4.85 ± 1.68 (test = -11.561, p < .001). Conclusion: The child-friendly design effectively reduced children's pain and anxiety levels during blood draws and increased parents' satisfaction with the environment in which health care was received. Practical Implications: Implementing a child-friendly design in blood collection units is recommended to alleviate the pain and anxiety associated with children's blood draws, thereby enhancing parental satisfaction with the care provided.

IEUBK Modeling of Children's Blood Lead Levels in Homes Served by Private Domestic Wells in Three Illinois Counties.

Lead is known to impair neurocognitive development in children. Drinking water is routinely monitored for lead content in municipal systems, but private well owners are not required to test for lead. The lack of testing poses a risk of lead exposure and resulting health effects to rural children. In three Illinois counties, we conducted a cross-sectional study (n = 151 homes) examining water lead levels (WLLs), water consumption, and water treatment status to assess risk of lead exposure among residents using private water wells. Since blood lead levels (BLLs) were not available, EPA's Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) modeling was used to estimate the incremental contribution of WLL to BLL, holding all other sources of lead at their default values. Nearly half (48.3%) of stagnant water samples contained measurable lead ranging from 0.79 to 76.2 µg/L (median= 0.537 µg/L). IEUBK modeling showed BLLs rose from 0.3 to 0.4 µg/dL when WLLs rose from 0.54 µg/L (the tenth percentile) to 4.88 µg/L (the 90th percentile). Based on IEUBK modeling, 18% of children with a WLL at the 10th percentile would have a BLL above 3.5 µg/dL compared to 27.4% of those with a WLL at the 90th percentile. These findings suggest that the consumption of unfiltered well water likely results in increased blood lead levels in children.

Association between asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection, anaemia and mean corpuscular volume of school children in the Volta Region of Ghana.

Although, several studies have reported abnormal Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) values and anaemia associated with malaria infections with a focus on Plasmodium falciparum among patients with complicated and uncomplicated malaria, none has looked at the association with asymptomatic malaria. This study aimed to assess this association. We conducted a cross-sectional study using 3 mL of blood samples from 549 children aged 5-17 years attending 5 schools selected in the Volta Region. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to the children to obtain demographic data. Blood samples were collected to estimate the children's full blood count (FBC) and malaria status. Data obtained wereanalysed using STATA 15 software. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Most of the children inthis study (49.9%) had normal MCV (81.3-91.3 fL) with an overall malaria prevalence of 55.6%(95% CI: 51.3-59.8) and anaemia prevalence of 48.6% (95% CI 44.4-52.9). Most anaemic children had normal MCV (81.3-91.3 fL) (49.8, 95% CI 43.7-56.0). The predicted probability of malaria was highly likely among children with normal MCV (81.3-91.3 fL) but with high variability and uncertainty among those with low MCV (<81.3 fL) and high MCV (>91.3 fL). This study shows a reduced predicted probability of malaria among children with low and high MCV, playing a protective function against malaria. Further studies are required to elucidate the interaction.

Lead exposure in Chinese children: Urbanization lowers children's blood lead levels (BLLs)

Lead is a toxic metal that can pose a huge threat to children's health. China has experienced rapid urbanization since the reform in 1978; however, there has been no examination of the potential influence of this urbanization on children's blood lead levels (BLLs). This study is the initial investigation to explore the correlation between urbanization and BLLs in Chinese children. Five windows of time are considered: pre-2000, 2001–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2021. The results show that urbanization affected lead distribution in urban soil and agricultural soil during the above periods, especially in northern China. The higher non-carcinogenic risk of lead for children is consistent with the lead pollution in soil (3 < Igeo ≤ 4). Urban children's BLLs are slightly higher than those of rural children in 2001–2010, but rural children's BLLs in 2011–2021 are higher than those of urban children during China's urbanization. The areas of rural decline and the areas of urban growth increased across all the window periods. However, the BLLs decrease in all rural and urban areas during all window periods, especially in urban areas. Children's BLLs have a significantly negative correlation with urban areas (p < 0.01). Therefore, China's urbanization has a significant effect on the decrease in children's BLLs. The significance of this study is to provide a fresh perspective and innovative strategy for policymaking in order to reduce children's BLLs and prevent lead exposure. This can be achieved by transforming their external living environment from a rural lifestyle to an urban one, while also ensuring access to well education and maintaining a balanced nutrient intake.

Early exposure to mercury and cardiovascular function of seven-year old children in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)

BackgroundThe cardiotoxicity of prenatal exposure to mercury has been suggested in populations having regular contaminated seafood intake, though replications in the literature are inconsistent. MethodsThe Timoun Mother-Child Cohort Study was set up in Guadeloupe, an island in the Caribbean Sea where seafood consumption is regular. At seven years of age, 592 children underwent a medical examination, including cardiac function assessment. Blood pressure (BP) was taken using an automated blood pressure monitor, heart rate variability (HRV, 9 parameters) and electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristics (QT, T-wave parameters) were measured using Holter cardiac monitoring during the examination. Total mercury concentrations were measured in cord blood at birth (median = 6.6 μg/L, N = 399) and in the children's blood at age 7 (median = 1.7 μg/L, N = 310). Adjusted linear and non-linear modelling was used to study the association of each cardiac parameter with prenatal and childhood exposures. Sensitivity analyses included co-exposures to lead and cadmium, adjustment for maternal seafood consumption, selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFAs), and for sporting activity. ResultsHigher prenatal mercury was associated with higher systolic BP at 7 years of age (βlog2 = 1.02; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.10, 1.19). In boys, intermediate prenatal exposure was associated with reduced overall HRV and parasympathetic activity, and longer QT was observed with increasing prenatal mercury (βlog2 = 4.02; CI = 0.48, 7.56). In girls, HRV tended to increase linearly with prenatal exposure, and no association was observed with QT-wave related parameters. Mercury exposure at 7 years was associated with decreased BP in girls (βlog2 = −1.13; CI = −2.22, −0.004 for diastolic BP). In boys, the low/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio increased for intermediate levels of exposure. ConclusionOur study suggests sex-specific and non-monotonic modifications in some cardiac health parameters following prenatal exposure to mercury in pre-pubertal children from an insular fish-consuming population.