Inuit Children Research Articles

The Owl and the Two Rabbits by N. Sammurtok

Sammurtok, Nadia. The Owl and the Two Rabbits. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media, 2019.
 Nadia Sammurtok, author of several children’s books including Caterpillar Woman and Siuluk: The Last Tuniq, has written stories of tundra animals. Like many Inuit children’s stories, this one is cautionary, teaching children not to play in dangerous places. In this story two small rabbits, who have been told to “remain hidden when they played outside,” get carried away jumping and attract the attention of an owl who wants to eat them. They escape by outwitting the owl and working together, two common survival themes in Inuit children’s stories. 
 Marcus Cutler’s artwork is bright and fun. Often northern scenes are portrayed as muted or dark, but Cutler’s skies are orange, red or purple, and the grasses are vivid greens and yellows. Small children will be able to enjoy the pictures on their own, but the text will require an older reader. While this book is not meant to be realistic—the animals speak and small rabbits are able to push a huge rock—Sammurtok does include some real animal behaviour from which children can learn. For example, “the rabbits' brown coats blended in with the tundra” and they freeze when threatened.
 Overall this is an enjoyable volume which would be a good addition to public libraries and elementary school libraries.
 Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Sandy Campbell
 Sandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

Authentic Empathy: A Cultural Basis for the Development of Empathy in Children

Culture is important for the development of social skills in children, including empathy. Although empathy has long been linked with prosocial behaviors and attitudes, there is little research that links culture with development of empathy in children. This project sought to investigate and identify specific culturally related empathy elements in a sample of Dene and Inuit children from Northern Canada. Across seven different grade (primary) schools, 92 children aged 7 to 9 years participated in the study. Children’s drawings, and interviews about those pictures, were uniquely employed as empirical data which allowed researchers to gain access to the children’s perspective about what aspects of culture were important to them. Using empathy as the theoretical framework, a thematic analysis was conducted in a top-down deductive approach. The research paradigm elicited a rich data set revealing three major themes: sharing; knowledge of self and others; and acceptance of differences. The identified themes were found to have strong links with empathy constructs such as sharing, helping, perspective-taking, and self–other knowledges, revealing the important role that culture may play in the development of empathy. Findings from this study can help researchers explore and identify specific cultural elements that may contribute to the development of empathy in children.

Relationship is Everything: Holistic Approaches to Aboriginal Child and Youth Mental Health

This article addresses topics related to Indigenous holistic well-being including, 1) Indigenous perspectives on Aboriginal child and youth holistic mental health; 2) Factors undermining Indigenous well-being; 3) Process and curriculum for training to support mental health practitioners working with Indigenous children, youth and communities; 4) concrete applications and participant feedback. To begin, it is important to explore the following question: What is holistic mental health for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children and youth? In outlining this training curriculum we hope to contribute to a broader conversation about supporting and enhancing the well-being of Indigenous children and youth in Canada.

Feasibility and ethical issues: experiences and concerns of healthcare workers regarding a new RSV prophylaxis programme in Nunavik, Quebec

ABSTRACT Background: The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalisation in young Inuit children. Prophylaxis with palivizumab is routinely recommended for premature infants and those with severe pulmonary or cardiac diseases. In the fall 2016, the Quebec Ministry of Health expanded the criteria to include healthy full-term (HFT) newborns from Nunavik based on their high RSV hospitalisation rates. Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the impact of this programme on Nunavik health services during the first RSV season after its implementation (2016–2017) by studying challenges, concerns and needs of healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: An ethnographic approach was used. Semi-structured interviews focusing on HCWs experiences, and opinions to improve the new programme were conducted with 20 HCWs involved in its implementation. Results: Main reported challenges and concerns were: additional work(over)load, lack of information and evidence about the need and efficacy of palivizumab in HFT newborns, communication issues between stakeholders, and ethical issues regarding the Inuit population. Conclusion: The study revealed significant feasibility and acceptability issues. The programme was highly resource consuming. To address HCWs’ concerns, evidence-based data regarding palivizumab effectiveness in HFT infants, as well as consultation and involvement of Inuit population are warranted.

Association between early lead exposure and externalizing behaviors in adolescence: A developmental cascade

BackgroundLead (Pb) exposure is associated with adverse neurological development. Most notably, it has been observed through externalizing behavior symptoms, as observed among Inuit children from northern Québec. Evidence for a persistent neurological impact of early Pb exposure later in life is however scarce. Pb exposure may initiate a developmental cascade that increases the risk of long-term behavior problems. ObjectivesTesting for direct associations between childhood Pb concentrations and adolescent externalizing symptoms and substance use, as well as indirect associations through childhood behavior assessments. MethodsThe study sample is a longitudinal cohort of Inuit children (n = 212) followed since birth. Blood Pb concentrations were measured during childhood (median age = 11.4 years) and adolescence (median age = 18.5 years). Externalizing/inattentive behavior were teacher-assessed through the Teacher Report Form and the Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale for children. At the adolescence follow-up, behavior problems were self-reported by filling Achenbach's Youth Self-Report, the Barkley Adult ADHD-IV Rating Scale, and the Diagnostics Interview Schedule for Children. Adolescent substance use was also self-assessed through the DEP-ADO. Direct and indirect associations of child Pb concentrations with adolescent outcomes were tested through mediation models. ResultsChild blood Pb concentrations were not directly associated with any adolescent outcomes. On the contrary, childhood Pb exposure was indirectly associated, through childhood externalizing behavior assessments, with adolescent externalizing behaviors, binge drinking, and cannabis use. These indirect associations held after controlling for adolescents’ concurrent Pb blood concentrations. DiscussionOur results highlight the indirect but lasting effects of child Pb exposure on adolescent behavior problems, and the importance of childhood externalizing behavior in this relationship. Adverse early-life environment put children on a riskier developmental trajectory, increasing their likelihood of lifelong psychological, social and health problems.

Oral aspiration, type 1 laryngeal cleft, and respiratory tract infections in canadian inuit children.

Canadian Inuit infants suffer the highest rate of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI's) in the world. The causes of this are incompletely understood. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether there exists an association between respiratory morbidity and oral aspiration in Inuit children. A retrospective chart review was conducted including children from Nunavut who underwent Video Fluoroscopic Swallowing Study between the years of 2001 to 2015. The primary outcome was hospitalization for LRTI. We hypothesized that infants found to have aspiration would experience a higher rate of admissions for LRTI than those with normal swallowing studies. One-hundred and twenty-seven patients were identified, of whom 94 were included. Fifty-six percent of patients had an abnormal swallowing study. Compared with patients with normal swallowing, the incidence rate of LRTI was higher in patients with aspiration (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-1.87) and in patients with penetration (IRR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.11-1.76). Fourteen percent of patients had confirmed laryngeal cleft; patients with confirmed presence of this also had a higher incidence rate of LRTI (IRR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.32-2.07). The incidence of abnormal swallowing study showed an 11-fold variation across the five regions in Nunavut, with the highest prevalence in west Qikiqtani Region (Baffin Island). We conclude that swallowing dysfunction is not only prevalent amongst Canadian Inuit but clinically significant. This is the first study to demonstrate an association between swallowing dysfunction and respiratory morbidity in this population. Geographic distribution patterns and high rates of laryngeal cleft may point to a potential genetic etiology for what remains at this point, idiopathic swallowing dysfunction.

Evaluation of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies among the grade-7 children of Iqaluit

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and allergies among Canadian Inuit children, especially those living in the arctic and subarctic areas.MethodsA cross-sectional study among grade seven students attending schools in Iqaluit, the capital city of Nunavut, was conducted during the 2016/2017 school year. We used the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire with added questions relevant to the population. In addition, skin prick tests (SPT) were conducted to test for sensitization to common food and environmental allergens.ResultsThe prevalence of current asthma is 5.2%, all of them were males and 2/3 of them were Inuit and all had a previous respiratory hospitalization. Past asthma prevalence is 8.6%, 60% males and 60% Inuit. There was an inverse relationship to crowdedness possibly as a confounding factor because of getting a higher prevalence among the non-Inuit who usually live in less crowded houses. Current allergic rhinitis prevalence is 8.6%, 60% of the cases were among the mixed Inuit/Caucasian ethnicity while no cases among the non-Inuit, there was a female predominance 3:2. Past history of allergic rhinitis prevalence is 10.3%, half of the cases were among the mixed ethnicity (5.2% of that ethnicity) followed by Inuit (3.4%) and non-Inuit (1.7%), female: Male ratio 1:1. Current eczema prevalence was 27.6%, with half of the cases among the mixed ethnicity (13.8% of that group), followed by Inuit (8.6%). There was a female predominance with protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding. Past eczema prevalence 34.5%, with half of the cases were among the mixed ethnicity (17.2% of that group), followed by Inuit (10.3%). There was a female predominance. We noted a high rate of sensitization to Cat at 29.2%, most of the cases were among the mixed ethnicity, while absent sensitization to other common inhalant allergens.ConclusionWhile being cautious about firm conclusions due to the small sample size and power, the noticed variations in the prevalence and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among different ethnicities living at the same subarctic environment might be related to several possible explanations like genetic, gene-environment interaction and/or lifestyle factors, it was out of the scope of this study to determine the causality of such variation in prevalence, which emphasizes the need for further investigation.

Factors Affecting Initiation and Duration of Breastfeeding Among Off-Reserve Indigenous Children in Canada

Indigenous children in Canada are less likely to be breastfed compared to non-Indigenous children; however, little information about rates and correlates of breastfeeding exist. We used a nationally representative survey to examine breastfeeding initiation (n = 9,330) and duration (n = 6,760) among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children. In our sample, 72.5% of children had been breastfed, and 57.9% of these individuals were breastfed until six months. Factors associated with increased breastfeeding included mothers’ educational attainment, children’s weight at birth, mothers' residential school attendance, and region of residence. Having Indian Status and lower household income were associated with lower breastfeeding initiation and duration. Our findings suggest that targeted efforts to encourage and support breastfeeding among Indigenous women are needed. Additional research using contemporary data are required in Canada.

Temporal trends of legacy and emerging persistent organic pollutants in inuit preschoolers from Northern Quebec (Canada)

ABSTRACTIn this study, we report the temporal trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in 181 preschool Inuit children from Nunavik and the influence of confounding factors on blood contaminant levels. From 2006 to 2010, no significant trends were detected in Σpolychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs), Σorganochlorine pesticides (ΣOPs), Σtoxaphene, and Σper- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (ΣPFASs). On the contrary, significant downward trends ranging from 9.3% to 14.3% per year were found for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Breastfeeding was significantly associated with increased levels of POPs. Age was positively and significantly related to ΣPCBs, ΣOPs and Σtoxaphene. Compared with girls, boys had significantly higher concentrations of ΣPBDEs, but lower concentrations of ΣPFASs. Weight-for-height or body mass index z-scores were negatively and significantly related to ΣPCBs and ΣOPs. Passive smoking was positively and significantly associated with ΣOPs and Σtoxaphene. In conclusion, continued efforts to reduce contaminant exposure are needed to protect children’s health and development.

Levels of Contaminants in Human Populations in the Canadian Arctic

Levels of environmental contaminants, which are transported to the Arctic via air/water currents, have been shown to be elevated in northern populations, primarily Inuit. For more than 25 years, the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) has funded research in response to concerns about exposure to contaminants from traditional, northern indigenous diets. Recently, NCP completed a human health assessment report, which provides a summary of current knowledge regarding contaminants and human health in northern Canada.Data from NCP funded studies were compiled to summarize levels of contaminants among Inuit children, pregnant mothers, women of childbearing age, and adult men and women. Data was also used to identify time trends and provide regional descriptive comparisons.This assessment found that concentrations of contaminants are higher in Inuit from northern Canada relative to the Canadian general population. This is primarily due to dietary exposure to contaminants from the consumption of certain country foods such as marine mammals. Inuit populations living in Nunavut and Nunavik, where these country foods are typically eaten more frequently or in larger amounts, had higher levels of contaminants. Time trend data show declining levels of organochlorines and metals (such as mercury and lead), by up to 80% and 60% respectively, in pregnant Inuit women from Nunavik (1992-2013). Despite this, levels remain elevated compared to the Canadian general population. Since the completion of the assessment new projects have been funded and these will also be highlighted.Strong time trend data are available for Nunavik; however more information is needed in other regions. New chemical groups have emerged in the Arctic. While human exposure data is still limited, data is being generated through new research. Additional conclusions, knowledge gaps and recommendations for future northern studies are detailed in the NCP human health assessment.

Selenium Protection Against Methylmercury Adverse Neurodevelopmental Effects in Inuit Children from Nunavik, Northern Quebec, Canada

Selenium Protection Against Methylmercury Adverse Neurodevelopmental Effects in Inuit Children from Nunavik, Northern Quebec, Canada

Families by JU. Mike and K. McCluskey

Mike, Jesse Unaapik and Kerry McCluskey. Families. Inhabit Media, 2017.The Inuit have always relied on a variety of family and community structures to raise children and ensure survival. Historically, given high death and disease rates, the need to go to larger centres for extended medical treatment, and long periods spent on the land, it was not unusual for children to be raised or partially raised by grandparents, aunts and uncles, or older siblings. Inuit traditional “custom adoption” practices allowed for child-rearing to be spread throughout families.In Families, Jesse Unaapik Mike explores a variety of families that are present in Inuit communities. The story is a first day of school scenario. During the day, a young boy, Talittuq, who lives alone with his mother while his father lives in another community, meets several children including those who live with two parents or step-parents, those who spend time with parents living in different places, and children living with grandparents. Mike also introduces what I believe to be the first instance of same-sex parents in an Inuit children’s picture book, when Talittuq meets Qaukkai, who has two Moms. There is an added twist in that Qaukkai has been adopted through a custom adoption process, giving her three mothers. While Lerry Lishchenko’s drawings are cartoon-like, the characters are drawn realistically. The colours are attractive and the images mesh well with the concepts in the text. This is a good book, where children from many different living arrangements will see themselves reflected. Highly recommended for public libraries and school libraries.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

Elisapee and her Baby Seagull by N. Mike

Mike, Nancy. Elisapee and her Baby Seagull. Inhabit Media, 2017.In this picture book, Nancy Mike tells the story of an Inuit girl who raises a seagull from a chick to adulthood and finally returns it to the wild. Through caring for Nau, the seagull, Elisapee learns “how to care, how to feed an animal and how to have patience.” Finally she learns to let go as the grown-up Nau joins the other seagulls. Mike’s text is simple and age appropriate for the intended lower elementary audience.Charlene Chua’s pictures fill most of the book with colour. The text is overprinted on the backgrounds. Her artwork is cartoonish. The characters have oversized eyes and tiny noses, reminiscent of Mickey Mouse or some manga characters. However, her images do capture the natural world of the Arctic environment. Chua has included some fun visual jokes, such as a large gull trying to fit into a small box and a krill jumping from a boy’s hand when he’s trying to feed the gull.This book gently introduces some life lessons in an Inuit context. Highly recommended for public libraries and school libraries and for libraries that collect Inuit children’s literature.Highly recommended: 4 stars out of 4Reviewer: Sandy CampbellSandy is a Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, who has written hundreds of book reviews across many disciplines. Sandy thinks that sharing books with children is one of the greatest gifts anyone can give.

Final Results of National Surveillance of Childhood Tuberculosis in Canada: 2013–2016

Abstract BACKGROUND There is little detailed epidemiologic and clinical data about tuberculosis (TB) disease in children in Canada. OBJECTIVES This study characterizes the epidemiologic, clinical, and treatment data for all cases of TB in children under age 15 in Canada surveyed through the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program’s (CPSP) Childhood Tuberculosis Study from October 2013 to September 2016. DESIGN/METHODS New active TB cases were identified through a monthly form sent by the CPSP to approximately 2500 active paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists, and select non-paediatricians who manage childhood TB. For cases meeting inclusion criteria, a detailed questionnaire was sent to the treating physician to collect clinical, epidemiological, and treatment data, followed by 6-month follow-up surveys until 6 months after treatment completion. Cases were reviewed by at least one TB specialist for inclusion and classification of disease. RESULTS Of 285 unique incident cases reported, 188 cases met inclusion criteria, returned a detailed questionnaire, and were classified. Selected demographic data are shown in Table 1. 92% of cases had intrathoracic involvement (N=172, 91%), but a minority were confirmed by culture or nucleic acid amplification (62/172, 36%). The most common sites of intrathoracic involvement were lymph nodes (N=118, 69%) and lungs (N=54, 31%). There were 143 attempted respiratory microbiological studies, with 32 (22%) yielding a positive culture or NAAT in sputum and 33 (23%) in gastric aspirate. Highest yield was in the 10+ age group with 54% (20/37) positivity. 31 cases of extrathoracic TB were recorded, with 19/35 (54%) having simultaneous intrathoracic TB. The most common forms of extrathoracic TB included CNS or meningeal disease (N=13) and extrathoracic lymphadenopathy (N=11). Miliary or disemminated disease (2 or more non-continguous sites involved) was found in 15 cases (8%). 16 cases reported at least one adverse drug reactions, with pyrazinamide (N=10) and isoniazid (N=5) being most common. 4 children were hospitalized and the most common ADR was hepatotoxicity. There was one case of multi-drug resistant TB. CONCLUSION This study suggests a high incidence of TB in Inuit and First Nations children, as well as a higher proportion of extrathoracic TB and greater success in culture positivity in children aged 10+. It also shows a significant number of adverse drug reactions to anti-TB treatment. Further analysis of this data will serve to refine practice in monitoring, detecting, and treating this infection.

The need for Inuit parents’ perspectives on outdoor risky play

AbstractParents’ perspectives on their children’s outdoor risky play behaviours influence their children’s adoption of safety strategies and their children’s approach to risky and dangerous situations (Brussoni & Olsen, 2011). Over the past decade, researchers have explored many Canadian mothers’ and fathers’ perspectives on this topic; however, to date, there has been a lack of research on Indigenous parents’ perspectives, particularly those of Inuit parents. This lack of research means that Inuit families are unaccounted for in research used to create and promote safety policies and practices in Canada. The present research commentary is the first to address the urgent need for research on northern Canadian Inuit parents’ perspectives on outdoor risky play. Specifically, outdoor risky play is defined, and Inuit children’s outdoor play experiences are compared to non-Inuit children’s experiences. Further, Inuit children’s experiences of injury are discussed to further situate the dire need to work with the most vulnerable population in Canada – Inuit – in child injury prevention research.

Linking Inuit Knowledge and Public Health for Improved Child and Youth Oral Health in NunatuKavut.

The oral health of Inuit children in Canada has been identified as a public health crisis. Although efforts are being made to identify and address ways to deal with this crisis, current policy and program approaches are largely entrenched within the prevailing paradigm of dental science to the exclusion of Indigenous people's understandings of health. This article reports qualitative findings of a larger study aimed at identifying, understanding, and addressing rates of oral disease among children living in NunatuKavut, a cluster of small, coastal Inuit communities located in southern Labrador, Canada. Through 18 focus groups with youth (n = 86), caregivers (n = 22), and interviews with key informant (n = 13), this study begins to elucidate southern Inuit understandings of oral health. Theorized using Two-Eyed Seeing, an Indigenous approach to balancing both Indigenous and non-Indigenous understandings of the world, the findings reported here reveal 3 themes, each of which is crosscut by historical and contemporary dimensions: 1) (w)holistic conceptualizations of health are essential to good oral health, 2) achieving optimal oral health is prohibitive for Inuit communities, and 3) community-engaged oral health service delivery is needed. Our recommendations have implications for improved oral public health service delivery for Inuit communities, in that the inclusion of Inuit perspectives on oral health should form an instrumental element of oral public health service delivery. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study may be used by clinicians and oral health educators to inform approaches to oral health service delivery within the context of Indigenous communities. It may also be used by policymakers to recognize how historical and contemporary issues of colonization relate to the formation of oral health-related policies.

Evaluation of eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergies among the Grade-1 children of Iqaluit

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and allergies among Canadian Inuit children, especially those living in the arctic and subarctic areas.MethodsA cross-sectional study among Grade 1 students attending schools in Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, was conducted during the 2015/2016 school year. We used the International Study of Allergy and Asthma in Children questionnaire with added questions relevant to the population. In addition, skin prick tests were conducted to test for sensitization to common food and environmental allergens.ResultsThe prevalence of current asthma was 15.9% (> 2:1 males) with the highest prevalence among those with any non-Inuit heritage at 38.5%. The prevalence of current and past allergic rhinitis was 6.8%, also predominant among males, with the lowest prevalence among the mixed ethnicity. Home crowdedness was inversely related to past asthma. Being ever outside Nunavut was associated with higher prevalence of current and past asthma. No statistically significant relationship was found with passive smoking or exclusive breast feeding during the first 4 months of life. The current eczema prevalence was 20.5%, with the highest prevalence recorded among the Inuit at 25% compared to 15.4% among the mixed ethnicity and 14.3% among the non-Inuit. We noted a high rate of sensitization to cat at 26.7% while absent sensitization to other common inhalant allergens.ConclusionVariations in the prevalence and risk factors of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among different ethnicities living at the same subarctic environment may be related to genetic, gene-environment interaction and/or lifestyle factors that require further investigation.

RESULTS OF NATIONAL SURVEILLANCE OF CHILDHOOD TUBERCULOSIS: 2013–2016

Abstract There is little detailed epidemiologic and clinical data about tuberculosis (TB) disease in children in Canada. This study characterizes the epidemiologic, clinical, and treatment data for all cases of TB in children under age 15 in Canada surveyed through the Canadian Pediatric Surveillance Program’s (CPSP) Childhood Tuberculosis Study. Preliminary results from the study from October 2013 to September 2016 are presented here, as data collection from reported cases is still ongoing. New active TB cases were identified through a monthly form sent by the CPSP to approximately 2500 active pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, and select non-pediatricians who manage childhood TB. For cases meeting inclusion criteria, a detailed questionnaire was sent to the treating physician to collect clinical, epidemiological, and treatment data, followed by 6-month follow-up surveys until 6 months after treatment completion. Of 248 unique incident cases reported, 142 cases both met inclusion criteria and returned a detailed questionnaire. Selected demographic data are shown here:Intrathoracic TB was reported in 129/142 (91%) of cases of which 111 had pulmonary disease. Of 104 patients who underwent investigations for pulmonary disease (sputum in 60, brochoalveolar lavage in 6, and gastric aspirates in 56), one or more positive cultures were obtained in 42 (40%). Within age groups, the proportion of cases who underwent investigation for pulmonary disease and were culture positive was: 3/11 (27%) under 1 year of age, 14/40 (35%) 1-4 years old, 8/23 (35%) 5-9 years old, and 17/30 (57%) 10 years or older. Extrathoracic TB was reported in 35 (25%), including 16 (42%) patients 10+ years old. There was one case of multi-drug resistant TB. Preliminary results from this study suggests a high incidence of TB in Inuit and First Nations children, as well as a higher proportion of extrathoracic TB and greater success in culture positivity in children aged 10+. At completion, this study will provide the most complete picture of childhood TB in Canada and will serve to refine practice in monitoring, detecting, and treating this infection.

Altered fine motor function at school age in Inuit children exposed to PCBs, methylmercury, and lead

BackgroundMotor deficits have frequently been reported in methylmercury (MeHg) poisoning in adults. However, whether exposure to neurotoxic contaminants from environmental sources early in life is associated with neuromotor impairments has received relatively little attention. This study examines the relation of developmental exposure to MeHg, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and lead to motor function in school-age Inuit children exposed through their traditional diet. MethodsIn a prospective study in Nunavik, children (mean age=11.3years) were assessed on a battery of fine motor tasks, namely the Stanford-Binet Copying subtest (N=262), the Santa Ana Form Board, and the Finger Tapping Test (N=215). The relation of mercury (Hg; as an index of MeHg exposure), PCB congener 153 (PCB153), and lead concentrations in cord and current blood samples to task performance was examined using linear regression analyses. ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders and control for the other contaminants, higher current PCB concentrations were associated with poorer Santa Ana Form Board and Finger Tapping performance. Results were virtually identical when PCB153 was replaced by other PCB congeners. Higher current Hg levels were independently associated with poorer Finger Tapping performance. ConclusionsThis is the first prospective longitudinal study in children to provide evidence of neuromotor impairments associated with postnatal exposure to seafood contaminants from environmental sources. Fine motor speed appears particularly sensitive to the effects of postnatal PCB exposure, which is unusually high in this population. Results with postnatal MeHg are concordant with previous cross-sectional studies with children and adults.

Household food security and breast-feeding duration among Canadian Inuit.

There have been few studies investigating the association between food security and breast-feeding duration and none have been conducted among Canadian Inuit, a population disproportionately burdened with food insecurity. We evaluated the association between household food security and breast-feeding duration in Canadian Inuit children. Data were obtained from the Nunavut Inuit Child Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey. The Canadian Territory of Nunavut in 2007 and 2008. Caregivers of Inuit children aged 3-5 years. Participating children were randomly sampled from community medical centre lists. Out of 215 children, 147 lived in food-insecure households (68·4 %). Using restricted mean survival time models, we estimated that children in food-secure households were breast-fed for 16·8 (95 % CI 12·5, 21·2) months and children in food-insecure households were breast-fed for 21·4 (95 % CI 17·9, 24·8) months. In models adjusting for social class, traditional knowledge and child health, household food security was not associated with breast-feeding duration (hazard ratio=0·82, 95 % CI 0·58, 1·14). Our research does not support the hypothesis that children living in food-insecure households were breast-fed for a longer duration than children living in food-secure households. However, we found that more than 50 % of mothers in food-insecure households continued breast-feeding well beyond 1 year. Many mothers in food-secure households also continued to breast-feed beyond 1 year. Given the high prevalence of food insecurity in Inuit communities, we need to ensure infants and their caregivers are being adequately nourished to support growth and breast-feeding, respectively.