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Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Neurodevelopment up to the Age of 5 Years: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Kyle Dack

    (Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK)

  • Matthew Fell

    (Cleft Collective, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK)

  • Caroline M. Taylor

    (Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK)

  • Alexandra Havdahl

    (Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
    Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, 0853 Oslo, Norway)

  • Sarah J. Lewis

    (Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TH, UK)

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental delays can interfere with children’s engagement with the world and further development, and may have negative consequences into adulthood. Mercury is highly toxic and may negatively influence neurodevelopment because it can freely cross the placenta and accumulate in the fetal brain. We searched four publication databases (Embase, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus) for studies examining the relationship between early life mercury exposure and scores on neurodevelopmental performance measures in children aged 0 to 5 years old. Study quality was assessed using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Quality Assessment Tool. Thirty-two prospective studies were included in the review. Neurodevelopmental performance was measured using 23 different scales, most commonly the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID). In most cases, the evidence for an association between mercury and neurodevelopment was weak. There did not appear to be exceptions for particular childhood ages, outcome scales, or mercury levels. The small number of results to the contrary were more likely to be studies which did not meet our high-quality criteria, and could be a consequence of multiple testing, selection bias, or incomplete confounder adjustment. Based on current evidence, dietary mercury exposure during pregnancy is unlikely to be a risk factor for low neurodevelopmental functioning in early childhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyle Dack & Matthew Fell & Caroline M. Taylor & Alexandra Havdahl & Sarah J. Lewis, 2022. "Prenatal Mercury Exposure and Neurodevelopment up to the Age of 5 Years: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-25, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:1976-:d:746090
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. George L. Wehby & Kaitlin Prater & Ann Marie McCarthy & Eduardo E. Castilla & Jeffrey C. Murray, 2011. "The Impact of Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy on Early Child Neurodevelopment," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 5(2), pages 207-254.
    2. Deborah C. Rice & Rita Schoeny & Kate Mahaffey, 2003. "Methods and Rationale for Derivation of a Reference Dose for Methylmercury by the U.S. EPA," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(1), pages 107-115, February.
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    4. Seongil Jo & Hae Dong Woo & Ho-Jang Kwon & Se-Young Oh & Jung-Duck Park & Young-Seoub Hong & Heesoo Pyo & Kyung Su Park & Mina Ha & Ho Kim & Seok-Joon Sohn & Yu-Mi Kim & Ji-Ae Lim & Sang-Ah Lee & Sang, 2015. "Estimation of the Biological Half-Life of Methylmercury Using a Population Toxicokinetic Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Sinye Lim & Mina Ha & Seung-Sik Hwang & Mia Son & Ho-Jang Kwon, 2015. "Disparities in Children’s Blood Lead and Mercury Levels According to Community and Individual Socioeconomic Positions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, May.
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