Association between blood arsenic levels and physical growth of children aged 0 - 6 years in Shanghai

LIN Yin; LIU Junxia; ZHANG Lin; YAN Chonghuai

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0612

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2024, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (9) : 969-973. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0612

Original Articles

Association between blood arsenic levels and physical growth of children aged 0 - 6 years in Shanghai

LIN Yin¹, LIU Junxia¹, ZHANG Lin², YAN Chonghuai¹

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Abstract

Objective To obtain a cross-sectional data of children in Shanghai on blood arsenic levels, influencing factors, and to evaluate the relationship between arsenic exposure and children's physical growth, in order to provide reference for the prevention and intervention of health problems caused by arsenic exposure. Methods A total of 2 263 children aged 0 - 6 years in Shanghai, recruited between 2013 and 2015, with available blood samples, anthropometric growth indicators, and baseline demographic data were selected as study subjects. Total arsenic levels in whole blood were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Associations between arsenic exposure and children's physical growth were analyzed using univariate linear regression and multivariable linear regression. Results The median blood arsenic level in Shanghai children was 1.57μg/L. Girls had higher blood arsenic levels than boys (1.67μg/L vs. 1.47μg/L, Z=510 794.50, P<0.05); children whose primary caregivers smoked had higher blood arsenic levels than those whose caregivers did not smoke (1.83μg/L vs. 1.52μg/L, Z=275 783.00, P<0.05); children who frequently consumed sea fish and freshwater fish had higher blood arsenic levels than those who occasionally consumed sea fish (1.69μg/L vs. 1.34μg/L, Z=417 778.00, P<0.05) and freshwater fish (1.69μg/L vs. 1.37μg/L, Z=443 342.00, P<0.05). After adjusting for parental height, weight, and household income, arsenic exposure level was significantly negatively associated with age-specific height-for-age Z-score (β=-0.08, 95%CI:-0.12 to -0.03, P<0.01), weight-for-age Z-score (β＝-0.07, 95%CI:-0.11 to -0.03, P<0.01), and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-score (β＝-0.05, 95%CI:-0.10 to 0.00, P=0.03). Conclusion There are sex differences in blood arsenic levels among 0- to 6-year-old children in Shanghai, which are related to dietary factors and have a negative correlation with physical growth in children.

Key words

blood arsenic levels / inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer / physical growth / children

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LIN Yin, LIU Junxia, ZHANG Lin, YAN Chonghuai. Association between blood arsenic levels and physical growth of children aged 0 - 6 years in Shanghai[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2024, 32(9): 969-973 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-0612

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