Associations between hair manganese levels and cognitive, language, and motor development in preschool children from Montevideo, Uruguay

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2014;69(1):46-54. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2012.725229.

Abstract

Environmental manganese (Mn) exposure in childhood has been associated with developmental deficits. This study investigated associations between low-level Mn exposure and developmental scores in children aged 14-45 months. Children's hair samples (n = 60) were analyzed for Mn and lead (Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Children were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development III (BSID). Mean hair Mn and Pb concentrations were 0.98 ± 0.74 and 10.1 ± 10.5 μg/g, respectively. Unadjusted inverse associations were seen between Mn and BSID subscales, with girls having lower scores related to Mn than boys. No significant associations remained in covariate-adjusted models, although when stratified by sex boys had a positive association between hair Mn levels and language scores. This study does not show clear evidence of an association between hair Mn concentrations and children's developmental scores in a region of low-level Mn exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child Development / drug effects*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis
  • Female
  • Hair / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Language Development
  • Male
  • Manganese / analysis*
  • Manganese / toxicity
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / drug effects
  • Sex Factors
  • Uruguay

Substances

  • Manganese