Hair Of Children Research Articles

Urinary Cadmium and Cotinine Levels and Hair Mercury Levels in Czech Children and Their Mothers Within the Framework of the COPHES/DEMOCOPHES Projects.

The COPHES/DEMOCOPHES twin project was performed in 2011-2012 in 17 European countries to harmonize all steps of the human biomonitoring survey. Urinary cadmium, cotinine, phthalate metabolites, and hair mercury were measured in children (N=120, 6-11years) and their mothers of reproductive age, living in urban or rural areas. Cadmium in mothers' and children's urine was detected at a geometric mean (GM) concentration 0.227 and 0.109μg/L, respectively; 95th percentile (P95) was 0.655 and 0.280μg/L in mothers and children, respectively. No age-related, education-related, or urban versus rural differences were observed within the frame of each population group. Cadmium urinary level in mothers was about twofold compared with children. Higher levels were obtained in all smoking mothers but not in occasionally smoking or mothers and children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Mercury values in mothers were significantly higher in urban than in rural populations but not in children. GM and P95 for mercury in children's hair were 0.098 and 0.439μg/g and in mothers' hair were 0.155 and 0.570μg/g. Concentrations for mercury in the Czech samples were lower than European average. Hair mercury increased significantly with consumption of fish or seafood and with number of amalgam tooth fillings (in children). A positive association was found with family educational level. No influence of age was observed. Urinary cadmium and hair mercury levels were lower than health-based guidelines with one exception. High levels of urinary cotinine were found in the 12 smoking mothers (GM approximately 500μg/L); lower levels in occasionally smoking mothers, N=11 (34.5μg/L). The mean cotinine levels in nonsmoking mothers who reported daily exposure to ETS was 10.7μg/L. A similar mean value (10.8μg/L) was obtained in six children who had daily exposure to ETS. In children without exposure to ETS, the mean cotinine level was 1.39μg/L urine. Cotinine in the urine of children demonstrates limited protection of the Czech children against exposure to ETS.

Transition to Kindergarten: Negative Associations between the Emotional Availability in Mother-Child Relationships and Elevated Cortisol Levels in Children with an Immigrant Background.

Background: The transition to child care is a challenging time in a child’s life and leads to elevated levels of cortisol. These elevations may be influenced by the quality of the mother–child relationship. However, remarkably little is known about cortisol production in response to the beginning of child care among children-at-risk such as children with an immigrant background. However, attending kindergarten or any other child day-care institution can for example have a compensating effect on potential language deficits thus improving the educational opportunities of these children.Method: Data of a subsample of N = 24 “hard-to-reach” mother–child dyads was collected in the context of the psychoanalytic early prevention project FIRST STEPS. The project focuses on the earliest integration of children with an immigrant background by supporting parenting capacities in the critical phase of migration and early parenthood. Children’s hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was assessed 1 week before (mean age = 38.77 months) and 3 months after kindergarten entry (mean age = 42.26 months). Hair analysis was conducted for both times of measurement, reflecting the first 3 months after kindergarten entry and 3 months prior. Furthermore, the emotional quality of the mother–child relationship was assessed with the help of the Emotional Availability Scales (EAS; Biringen, 2008) shortly before kindergarten entry when the children were about 3 years old (mean age = 37.2).Results and Conclusion: Children’s mean cumulated HCC was higher after kindergarten entry than before. The increase correlated negatively with several dimensions of the EAS. Repeated measures ANCOVA revealed that particularly responsive children and children who had experienced less intrusive mother–child relationships demonstrated lower elevations in HCC after kindergarten entry. Furthermore, a decreased EA score was found in all EA dimensions, besides the dimension “mother’s non-hostility,” indicating problematic EA within the mother–child relationships of the sample. The results suggest that children with an immigrant background who experience more emotional available mother–child relationships seem to regulate stress induced by kindergarten entry more effectively, indicated by lower cortisol elevations after entry. This implicates that supporting early mother–child relationships by intervention may have a positive effect on the children’s ability to regulate stress induced by kindergarten entry thus promoting child development.

Two new keratinophilic fungal species

Two new keratinophilic fungal species, Chrysosporium jingzhouense and C. clavisporum, were isolated from farmland soil of Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, and from plant root soil of Guigang City, Guangxi Province, China, respectively, using child hair as bait. Molecular and morphological characters were used to identify taxonomic status. The phylogeny shows C. jingzhouense is clustered with C. articulatum and C. keratinophilum; while C. clavisporum appears to be related to C. qinghaiense, C. indicum and C. linfenense. These previously described Chrysosporium species can be easily distinguished from our proposed new species based on morphology alone. The holotypes, ex-types and ex-isotypes have been deposited in the Institute of Fungus Resources (GZAC).

Mild perinatal adversities moderate the association between maternal harsh parenting and hair cortisol: Evidence for differential susceptibility.

It has been shown that following exposure to mild perinatal adversity, children have greater susceptibility to both the negative and positive aspects of their subsequent environment. In a large population-based cohort study (N = 1,776), we investigated whether mild perinatal adversity moderated the association between maternal harsh parenting and children's hair cortisol levels, a biomarker of chronic stress. Mild perinatal adversity was defined as late preterm birth (gestational age at birth of 34-37 weeks, 6 days) or small for gestational age (birth weight between the 2.5th and 10th percentile for full term gestational age). Harsh parenting was assessed by maternal self-report at 3 years. Children's hair cortisol concentrations were measured from hair samples collected at age 6. There were no significant bivariate associations between mild perinatal adversities and harsh parenting and hair cortisol. However, mild perinatal adversities moderated the association between maternal harsh parenting and hair cortisol levels. Children with mild perinatal adversity had lower cortisol levels if parented more harshly and higher cortisol levels in the absence of harsh parenting than children who did not experience mild perinatal adversity. These results provide further evidence that mild perinatal adversity is a potential marker of differential susceptibility to environmental influences.

Trace Element Levels in Scalp Hair of School Children in Shigatse, Tibet, an Endemic Area for Kaschin-Beck Disease (KBD).

Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) is an endemic osteoarthritis, and the etiology is closely related with levels of trace elements in the human body. Currently, it is clear that the selenium (Se) status of children in KBD areas is lower than that in non-KBD areas in the Tibetan Plateau, whereas role of other elements are yet unknown. This study aimed to assess some essential trace elements (Se, Mo, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, and Sr) in children using scalp hair as a biomarker, and 157 samples from school children aged 8-14years old were collected from both KBD and non-KBD areas in Shigatse, Tibet. Se and Mo were measured by inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the other elements were determined by inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Compared with the non-KBD areas, Se, Mo, Mn, Fe, Zn, Co, and Sr levels of children in KBD areas were found to be significantly different (P<0.05); while in linear discriminant analysis, only Se and Zn were found to contribute to the KBD prevalence in the study area. The hair Se level of children in KBD areas ranged from 0.115 to 0.299mg/kg, while in non-KBD areas it ranged from 0.135 to 0.519mg/kg. The Zn content of children's hair was between 83 and 207mg/kg in KBD areas, while it was 37 and 219mg/kg in non-KBD areas. Lower Se and higher Zn levels in children in KBD areas was found when compared with non-KBD groups. In addition, Mo levels were found to be different between KBD areas and non-KBD areas on the opposite side of the Yarlung Zangbo River, but no close relationship was shown because there was no difference compared with the non-KBD area on the same side of the river. Our observations suggest that Se deficiency is still an important factor for the occurrence and prevalence of KBD, while the relationship between Zn and KBD needs to be further explored in the Tibetan Plateau.

Early life stress of infants in the SPRING home visits intervention promoting child growth and development in rural India (SPRING-ELS): development of stress measures for administration at scale

BackgroundSPRING-ELS (Early Life Stress) is a substudy of the SPRING cluster randomised controlled trial that is assessing a home visits programme in rural India promoting early child development and growth. Early life stress interferes with healthy child development so our aim was to evaluate its role in the SPRING causal pathway. We report findings from the preparatory phase of SPRING-ELS. MethodsTo develop an explanatory model of early life stress in the community, 45 mothers of children under 2 years old took part in eight focus group discussions. To determine potential barriers to sampling, in-depth interviews were done with five mothers and two barbers (to understand cultural beliefs about young children's hair). In addition, five focus group discussions were done with mothers, grandmothers, and barbers. Salivary and hair cortisol (to assess diurnal rhythm and chronic stress) were measured in 13 children aged 11–13 months. The SPRING trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02059863. FindingsCauses of stress included violence, poverty, poor hygiene, neglect and poor care, maternal stress, and carer alcoholism. Consequences included a range of physical and mental adversity. Improved caregiving was seen as the most important prevention method. However, in contrast to previous research, stress was seen to affect older children, who have a better understanding of their environment, than younger infants. Taking saliva samples was straightforward. Mothers preferred to be helped by assessors to take these samples rather than doing it themselves. However, hair sampling was challenging. There are many cultural beliefs surrounding young children's hair and a child's first haircut is a ceremonial occasion: rates of refusal were high (four of 13 families refused). Sample size was adjusted accordingly. InterpretationMeasuring early life stress in the community is feasible and acceptable. Careful introduction in the community has achieved a 14% refusal rate to take hair samples despite major cultural barriers. These stress measures have been integrated into SPRING outcome assessments, which are being performed with a total of 1200 children. Each assessment is done over 2 days when a child reaches 1 year of age. 60 children are being assessed at home each week using salivary and hair cortisol measurments and questionnaires of environmental stressors developed using findings from our explanatory model. To our knowledge, SPRING is the first large child health intervention trial to include measures of early life stress and the first time that hair cortisol will be assessed in South Asian children. FundingWellcome Trust research training fellowship to SB (grant number 107818/Z/15/Z).

Determination of sulfur in human hair using high resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry and its correlation with total protein and albumin

Human hair is a valuable contributor for biological monitoring. It is an information storage point to assess the effects of environmental, nutritional or occupational sources on the body. Human proteins, amino acids or other compounds are among the key components to find the sources of different effects or disorders in the human body. Sulfur is a significant one of these compounds, and it has great affinity to some metals and compounds. This property of the sulfur affects the human health positively or negatively.In this manuscript, sulfur was determined in hair samples of autistic and age-match control group children via molecular absorption of CS using a high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. For this purpose, hair samples were appropriately washed and dried at 75°C. Then samples were dissolved in microwave digestion using HNO3 for sulfur determination. Extraction was performed with HCl hydrolysation by incubation for 24h at 110°C for total protein and albumin determination. The validity of the method for the sulfur determination was tested using hair standard reference materials. The results were in the uncertainty limits of the certified values at 95% confidence level. Finally correlation of sulfur levels of autistic children's hair with their total protein and albumin levels were done.

Socioeconomic status, hair cortisol and internalizing symptoms in parents and children

Socioeconomic disadvantage is consistently linked with higher risk for internalizing problems, and stress is likely one important mechanism explaining this increased risk. Few studies have examined socioeconomic differences in hair cortisol, a novel biomarker of long-term adrenocortical activity and chronic stress. Moreover, no studies have examined whether differences in hair cortisol might explain socioeconomic disparities in internalizing problems. To address these gaps, we first examined relations of socioeconomic status (SES; family income and parental education) to variation in both parents’ and children’s hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and then tested whether HCC and perceptions of stress mediated relations of SES to parents’ and children’s internalizing symptoms. Participants were a socioeconomically diverse sample of 35 parents and 26 children (ages 5–7). Parents completed questionnaires, and hair samples were collected from parents and children. Parents reported on children’s internalizing symptoms on average 2 years after the initial visit. Results demonstrated that lower parental education was associated with higher HCC for both parents and children. Effects for child HCC held even after controlling for parent HCC. Lower family income was associated with higher parent HCC, but not child HCC. This relation was nonlinear, such that the relation between HCC and income was strongest among the most disadvantaged parents. Furthermore, associations of SES with parental anxiety were significantly mediated by parental perceptions of stress and marginally mediated by parent HCC. These findings suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with greater accumulation of cortisol in hair in parents and children, and that both perceived and biological markers of stress capture important facets of the experiences that underlie socioeconomic disparities in adult anxiety.

Pathways of inhalation exposure to manganese in children living near a ferromanganese refinery: A structural equation modeling approach

Manganese (Mn) is both essential element and neurotoxicant. Exposure to Mn can occur from various sources and routes. Structural equation modeling was used to examine routes of exposure to Mn among children residing near a ferromanganese refinery in Marietta, Ohio. An inhalation pathway model to ambient air Mn was hypothesized. Data for model evaluation were obtained from participants in the Communities Actively Researching Exposure Study (CARES). These data were collected in 2009 and included levels of Mn in residential soil and dust, levels of Mn in children's hair, information on the amount of time the child spent outside, heat and air conditioning in the home and level of parent education. Hair Mn concentration was the primary endogenous variable used to assess the theoretical inhalation exposure pathways. The model indicated that household dust Mn was a significant contributor to child hair Mn (0.37). Annual ambient air Mn concentration (0.26), time children spent outside (0.24) and soil Mn (0.24) significantly contributed to the amount of Mn in household dust. These results provide a potential framework for understanding the inhalation exposure pathway for children exposed to ambient air Mn who live in proximity to an industrial emission source.

Mercury Exposure in Children of the Wanshan Mercury Mining Area, Guizhou, China.

To evaluate the mercury (Hg) exposure level of children located in a Hg mining area, total Hg concentrations and speciation were determined in hair and urine samples of children in the Wanshan Hg mining area, Guizhou Province, China. Rice samples consumed by these same children were also collected for total mercury (THg) and methyl-mercury (MeHg) analysis. The geometric mean concentrations of THg and MeHg in the hair samples were 1.4 (range 0.50–6.0) μg/g and 1.1 (range 0.35–4.2) μg/g, respectively, while the geometric mean concentration of urine Hg (UHg) was 1.4 (range 0.09–26) μg/g Creatinine (Cr). The average of the probable daily intake (PDI) of MeHg via rice consumption was 0.052 (0.0033–0.39) µg/kg/day, which significantly correlated with the hair MeHg concentrations (r = 0.55, p < 0.01), indicating that ingestion of rice is the main pathway of MeHg exposure for children in this area. Furthermore, 18% (26/141) of the PDIs of MeHg exceeded the USEPA Reference Dose (RfD) of 0.10 µg/kg/day, indicating that children in this area are at a high MeHg exposure level. This paper for the first time evaluates the co-exposure levels of IHg and MeHg of children living in Wanshan mining area, and revealed the difference in exposure patterns between children and adults in this area.

Higher hair nicotine level in children compared to mother living with smoking father in Malaysia.

The objectives of this study are to determine parental and children's hair nicotine levels, their relationships as well as to investigate the association of smoking status of the fathers with mothers' and children's hair nicotine. A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 124 families who were participants of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Pregnancy Cohort Study. Both parents with their 2years old children joined this study. A total of 92 hair samples of fathers, 124 hair samples of mothers and 111 hair samples of children were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Of total, 52.4% of the fathers reported smoking. None of the mothers were smokers. Hair nicotine levels of fathers were found to be significantly correlated with mothers (r=0.233, p=0.026) and children (r=0.508, p<0.001). Children living with smoking fathers had significantly higher median hair nicotine level compared to the children of non-smoking fathers (6.08 vs 0.22ng/mg, p=0.046). However, this association was not seen in the mothers. Quantile regression showed significant association between fathers' and children's hair nicotine. There is a positive relationship between fathers' hair nicotine with mother's and children's hair nicotine. Living with smoking fathers can contribute to higher hair nicotine levels in children but not in mothers.

The effects of arsenic contaminated drinking water of livestock on its total levels in milk samples of different cattle: Risk assessment in children

This work was carried out to evaluate the arsenic (As) levels in milk samples of different milch animals, sheep, goats, cows, buffaloes and camels in Tharparkar, Pakistan. The concentration of As in the milk samples of cows, buffalos, sheep, goats and camels were observed in the range of 15.1–18.4, 2.6–7.7, 25.7–33.2, 10.5–37.3 and 6.6–13.7 μg/L, respectively. The levels of As in livestock drinking water of each farms/flocks was found in the range of 238–2000 μg L−1. A positive correlation with Pearson correlation coefficients, ranged as, 0.926–0.974 (p = 0.001–0.011) was observed between the As concentration in milk samples of cattle and in corresponding drinking water of farms/flocks. The high bio-transfer factor of As was occurred in the milk samples of sheep. The content of As in scalp hair of children was observed to be elevated, who consumed milk of lower cattle (sheep and goat) than cow and camel. The As content in scalp hair directly proportional to the age of children. The hazardous quotient value of As due to consumption of milk was observed in decreasing order as, sheep > goats > camels > cows. The total hazardous quotient or noncarcinogenic risk values for children consuming the milk of sheep, goat, cow and camels were found >1 of reference dose for As, creates adverse effects on health in childhood stage. The children of all three age group have higher carcinogenic risk factor who are consuming milk of goat and sheep than larger cattle.

Gender as a key factor in trace metal and metalloid content of human scalp hair. A multi-site study

This multi-site study discusses the content of metals and metalloids (MM) in scalp hair of children, living in different environmental contexts, with the purpose of verifying if hair level of some MM is distinctively gender-specific. A total of 943 hair samples (537 females and 406 males) from adolescents were analyzed for their content of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, U, V and Zn. Elemental quantification was performed by ICP-MS. The obtained data identified different metal distributions in adolescent girls which exhibited significantly higher hair concentrations of some trace metals, especially Sr, Zn and Ni, than boys. On the base of the median value, hair of female donors contained 3.8 times more Sr (6.6μg/g) than males (1.7μg/g). Highest concentrations of Zn in females were observed in samples from the mining area of Sardinia (587μg/g). Nickel showed significant differences resulting 2.5-fold higher in female hair. Regardless of the residence site, these elements resulted always significantly different (at p<0.01) between female and male indicating that gender is a confounding factor that has to be more extensively considered for a correct interpretation of metal profiles in human hair.

Evaluating the possible effect of area of residence on the levels of mercury in the hair of Spanish children and adolescents

Evaluating the possible effect of area of residence on the levels of mercury in the hair of Spanish children and adolescents

Endocrine disruptor compound's levels in hair of Greek children

Endocrine disruptor compound's levels in hair of Greek children

Hair toxic and essential trace elements in children with autism spectrum disorder

The objective of the study was to investigate hair trace elements content in children suffering from autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 74 ASD children and 74 sex- and age-matched controls divided into two age groups (2-4 and 5-9years) were investigated. Hair trace elements content was assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A general cohort of ASD children was characterized by 29%, 41%, and 24% lower hair levels of chromium (Cr), iodine (I), and vanadium (V), respectively, whereas the level of selenium (Se) exceeded the respective control values by 31%. In ASD children aged 2-4years hair Cr, I and V content was 68%, 36% and 41% lower than in the controls. Older ASD children were characterized by 45% increase in hair Se levels. In a general cohort of ASD children hair beryllium (Be) and tin (Sn) levels were 50% and 34% lower than the control values. In the first age group (2-4years) of ASD children 34%, 42%, and 73% lower levels of arsenic (As), boron (B), and Be were detected. In the second age group of ASD children only a nearly significant 25% decrease in hair lead (Pb) was detected. Surprisingly, no significant group difference in hair mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) content was detected. Generally, the results of the present study demonstrate that children with ASD are characterized by lower values in hair of not only essential but also toxic trace elements.

Exposure to mercury in susceptible population groups living in the former mercury mining town of Idrija, Slovenia

500 years of mercury (Hg) mining in the town of Idrija has caused severe pollution in Idrija and its surroundings. Following the closure of the mine in 1995, the environment remains contaminated with Hg. Sources of elemental-, inorganic- and methyl Hg exposure were identified, potential environmental level of exposure to Hg was evaluated and actual internal exposure to Hg was assessed in selected susceptible population groups comprising school-age children and pregnant women living in Idrija and in control groups from rural and urban environments. The study of pregnant women (n=31) was conducted between 2003 and 2008, and the study of school-age children (n=176) in 2008. Potential interaction of Hg with selenium (Se) in plasma was assessed in both study populations, while in pregnant women antioxidative enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) in erythrocytes of maternal and cord blood was also assessed. Actual exposure to Hg as indicated by levels of Hg in children's blood (geometric mean (GM) 0.92µg/L), mother's blood (GM 1.86µg/L), children's urine (GM 1.08µg/g crea.), mother's urine (GM 2.51µg/L), children's hair (GM 241ng/g) and mother's hair (GM 251ng/g) was higher in the two study groups from Idrija than in the control groups from rural areas, but was still at the level of a “normal” population and reflects mainly exposure to elemental Hg (Hg°) from dental amalgam and, to a certain extent atmospheric Hg°. Furthermore, the internal doses of Hg received during pregnancy did not decrease the bioavailability of Se. Based on observation in children, the increase in Se protein expression is suggested to be a consequence of moderately elevated exposure to Hg°. The observed changes in activity of antioxidative enzymes, as biomarkers of oxidative stress, appear to be mainly associated with pregnancy per se and not with an increased exposure to Hg. In view of the continuing increased potential for Hg exposure and the low number of pregnant women studied, the results warrant a further longitudinal study of a larger group of pregnant women residing in the area of the former mercury mine.

Trace element biomonitoring in hair of school children from a polluted area by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In the current study, a biomonitoring of 18 hair trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn, Ca, Na and P) in school children from Leningradskaya Oblast’ is reported. A case group, residing in a proximity to the toxic waste disposal grounds (Krasniy Bor), has been assessed vs. controls from a non-urban settlement Seltso. In total, 166 hair samples were analysed using double focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave-assisted sample digestion with nitric acid. For the determination of Ca, Na and P inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was employed. For the validation, a reference material and spiked hair samples were analysed. The data obtained was processed using parametric statistics and factor analysis. Determined concentrations of trace elements were in agreement with the previously published results on chemically polluted areas. In the case group, linear correlations between Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni and V were observed. Also, these metals correlated to selenium hair content in the case group. Additionally, a correlation between hair Se and P was observed in the case subjects. Several gender differences in trace content were observed within each group. However, no age- or body index-related difference was found. The obtained results show that closely located waste disposal grounds intensifies trace element exposure in school children of Krasniy Bor. However, judging from rather high values for the controls, total environmental status of the region seems to be unstable, so additional monitoring and chemical safety measures are required.

14 CHIPS-Child: Testing the developmental programming hypothesis in the offspring of the CHIPS trial

Introduction CHIPS-Child is a follow-up to the international CHIPS trial that showed that ‘less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’) control of maternal blood pressure (BP) was associated with no decrease (or increase) in either the primary perinatal outcome (pregnancy loss or high level neonatal care for >48 h) or measures of fetal growth (in utero). Objectives In CHIPS-Child, we tested the developmental programming hypothesis by determining if children born of mothers in ‘less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’) BP control arms of CHIPS showed differences in postnatal growth and health. Methods Follow-up was extended to 12 ± 2 months corrected post-gestational age for anthropometric measurements. For CHIPS subjects who consented to a CHIPS-Child study visit, we collected biological samples from the child (hair samples, buccal swabs) to evaluate hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA) function (hair cortisol levels) and epigenetic change (DNA methylation analysis of buccal cells). The primary outcome was ‘change in z -score for weight’ (95% CI) between birth and 12 ± 2 months, compared between groups using linear regression adjusted for maternal pre-randomisation factors (hypertension type and centre, antihypertensive type, and maternal body mass index, body mass index [BMI]) (two-tailed p > 0.05) and any between-group differences at baseline among babies followed-up. Secondary outcomes were genome-wide and targeted DNA methylation status (from buccal swabs, measured using the Illumina infinium HumanMethylation450 array platform) and hair cortisol (as a measure of hypothalamic–pituitary activation). Results Of 683 eligible CHIPS babies (59 sites), 500 (73.2%) were followed up in CHIPS-Child [244 (70.1%) in ‘less tight’ vs. 256 (75.7%) in ‘tight’ control] and 414 consented to participate [196, (80.3%) vs. 218 (85.2%)]. 272 (76.8%) of babies had anthropometry at 12 ± 2 months. Babies in ‘less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’) probably differed with regards to change in z -score for weight (primary outcome) [−0.27 (−0.54, 0.00); p = 0.05]; there was no difference in z -scores for length [0.14 (−0.20, 0.49); p = 0.42] or head circumference [0.19 ( - 0.89, 1.26); p = 0.71], or waist circumference (cm) [0.99 ( - 1.75, 3.72); p = 0.45]. Secondary outcomes were measurable only among the babies who were eligible for a study visit ( N = 92), consented ( N = 45), and supplied biological samples ( N = 41). 16 DNA samples (9 vs. 7) passed quality control testing; no difference in DNA methylation was seen based on a false discovery rate >20%. In the 35 adequate hair samples, cortisol levels were significantly lower in ‘less tight’ (vs. ‘tight’)[−496 (−892, −100); p = 0.02]. Conclusions The results of CHIPS-Child suggest that ‘tight’ BP control may be associated with both more rapid postnatal growth (birth to age 12 months) and developmental programming of the HPA axis. These results are limited by small sample size. Longer follow up would be necessary to determine if the findings are associated with important clinical outcomes. (CHIPS-Child Working Group: JP Chanoine, AM Cote, A Devlin, A Gafni, W Ganzevoort, A Gruslin, M Helewa, E Hutton, G Koren, SK Lee, D McArthur, E Rey, WP Robinson, T Roseboom, J Singer, S Wilson, JM Moutquin).

Magnesium, zinc and copper estimation in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro developmental disorder. Evidence for dietary/nutritional treatments for (ADHD) varies widely, however recommended daily allowance of minerals and essential fatty acids is an ADHD-specific intervention. Aim of the workTo estimate magnesium, zinc and copper levels in the sera and hair of children with ADHD and compare them to normal children and also to correlate these levels with the disease symptoms. MethodsThis case–control study was conducted on 20 patients with ADHD and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls. All subjects were subjected to psychiatric evaluation according to DSMIV-R, magnesium, zinc and copper estimation in serum and hair follicles. ADHD children were further assessed by the Stanford Binnet intelligence scale for children, Conners’ parent rating scale, and Wisconsin’s card sorting test. ResultsMagnesium, zinc and copper deficiencies were found in 13 (65%), 14 (60%) and 12 (70%) of ADHD children respectively. Magnesium and zinc deficiencies were found to be correlated with hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. However, this correlation was not found in the copper deficient ADHD cases. ConclusionChildren with ADHD have lower levels of zinc, copper and magnesium compared to both laboratory reference ranges and to normal controls in both hair and serum. These deficiencies are correlated with the core symptoms of ADHD.