Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children

Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info:doi/10.1289/ehp.1104152

Abstract

Background: Low-level environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure in children may be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate associations between urine cadmium concentration and reported learning disabilities (LD), special education utilization, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in US children using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from a subset of participants in NHANES (1999-2004) who were 6-15 years old and had spot urine samples analyzed for cadmium. Outcomes were assessed by parent or proxy-respondent report. We fit multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models to estimate associations between urinary cadmium and the outcomes.

Results: When we compared children in the highest quartile of urinary cadmium with those in the lowest quartile, odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for several potential confounders were 3.21 (95% CI: 1.43-7.17) for LD, 3.00 (95% CI: 1.12-8.01) for special education, and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.28-1.61) for ADHD. There were no significant interactions with sex, but associations with LD and special education were somewhat stronger in males, and the trend in the ADHD analysis was only evident among those with above median blood lead levels.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that children who have higher urinary cadmium concentrations may have increased risk of both LD and special education. Importantly, we observed these associations at exposure levels that were previously considered to be without adverse effects and these levels are common among U.S. children.

Citation: Ciesielski T, Weuve J, Bellinger DC, Schwartz J, Lanphear B, Wright RO 2012. Cadmium Exposure and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in U.S. Children. Environ Health Perspect :-. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104152