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JAMA Network Open Mar 2020The balance of mercury risk and nutritional benefit from fish intake during pregnancy for the metabolic health of offspring to date is unknown.
IMPORTANCE
The balance of mercury risk and nutritional benefit from fish intake during pregnancy for the metabolic health of offspring to date is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the associations of fish intake and mercury exposure during pregnancy with metabolic syndrome in children and alterations in biomarkers of inflammation in children.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This population-based prospective birth cohort study used data from studies performed in 5 European countries (France, Greece, Norway, Spain, and the UK) between April 1, 2003, and February 26, 2016, as part of the Human Early Life Exposome (HELIX) project. Mothers and their singleton offspring were followed up until the children were aged 6 to 12 years. Data were analyzed between March 1 and August 2, 2019.
EXPOSURES
Maternal fish intake during pregnancy (measured in times per week) was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires, and maternal mercury concentration (measured in micrograms per liter) was assessed using maternal whole blood and cord blood samples.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
An aggregate metabolic syndrome score for children was calculated using the z scores of waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and levels of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin. A higher metabolic syndrome score (score range, -4.9 to 7.5) indicated a poorer metabolic profile. Three protein panels were used to measure several cytokines and adipokines in the plasma of children.
RESULTS
The study included 805 mothers and their singleton children. Among mothers, the mean (SD) age at cohort inclusion or delivery of their infant was 31.3 (4.6) years. A total of 400 women (49.7%) had a high educational level, and 432 women (53.7%) were multiparous. Among children, the mean (SD) age was 8.4 (1.5) years (age range, 6-12 years). A total of 453 children (56.3%) were boys, and 734 children (91.2%) were of white race/ethnicity. Fish intake consistent with health recommendations (1 to 3 times per week) during pregnancy was associated with a 1-U decrease in metabolic syndrome score in children (β = -0.96; 95% CI, -1.49 to -0.42) compared with low fish consumption (<1 time per week) after adjusting for maternal mercury levels and other covariates. No further benefit was observed with fish intake of more than 3 times per week. A higher maternal mercury concentration was independently associated with an increase in the metabolic syndrome score of their offspring (β per 2-fold increase in mercury concentration = 0.18; 95% CI, 0.01-0.34). Compared with low fish intake, moderate and high fish intake during pregnancy were associated with reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines in children. An integrated analysis identified a cluster of children with increased susceptibility to metabolic disease, which was characterized by low fish consumption during pregnancy, high maternal mercury levels, decreased levels of adiponectin in children, and increased levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor α, and the cytokines interleukin 6 and interleukin 1β in children.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this study suggest that moderate fish intake consistent with current health recommendations during pregnancy was associated with improvements in the metabolic health of children, while high maternal mercury exposure was associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile in children.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Biomarkers; Child; Female; Fishes; Humans; Incidence; Inflammation; Maternal Exposure; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; United States
PubMed: 32176304
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1007 -
Journal of Environmental and Public... 2012
Topics: Clinical Medicine; Complementary Therapies; Dental Amalgam; Environmental Health; Fungi; Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Mycotoxins; Sweating; Vitamin D
PubMed: 22675371
DOI: 10.1155/2012/103041 -
Medicine Aug 2021Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is a rare form of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome. It is characterized by spontaneous and continuous muscle contractions....
RATIONALE
Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is a rare form of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome. It is characterized by spontaneous and continuous muscle contractions. Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is mainly observed in patients with autoimmune diseases or tumors, but it is a rare neurological clinical manifestation in patients with mercury poisoning.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 56-year-old woman presented with continuous and involuntary muscle twitching in her legs for 2 months; it was accompanied by a burning sensation in the lower limbs, insomnia, fatigue, and night sweats. These symptoms did not disappear during sleep.
DIAGNOSES
Toxicological blood analysis via atomic fluorescence spectrometry revealed that the level of mercury was 0.07 μmol/L (normal level: <0.05 μmol/L). Her urinary mercury level measured using the cold atomic absorption method was 217.50 μmol/mol creatinine, which was considerably higher than the reference range (0-2.25 μmol/mol creatinine for people not in contact with mercury, 0-20 μmol/mol creatinine following long-term exposure). Upon further testing, a high level of mercury (10,572 mg/kg) was detected in the patient's cream. Accordingly, this patient was diagnosed with mercury poisoning.
INTERVENTIONS
Treatment with 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) was initiated. Her urinary mercury level decreased to 9.67 μmol/mol creatinine, and her neuromyotonia syndrome and hyponatremia were relieved, with urine protein completely disappearing after 3 months of treatment.
OUTCOMES
After DMPS treatment, the clinical manifestations of the nervous system disappeared and electrolyte parameters returned to normal levels.
LESSONS
Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is a rare disorder caused by the hyperexcitability of peripheral nerves, resulting in spontaneous and continuous muscle contraction. Mercury poisoning should be considered in patients with neuromyotonia syndrome. Early detection of mercury poisoning can prevent unnecessary examinations and treatments.
Topics: Brain; Electroencephalography; Female; Humans; Isaacs Syndrome; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mercury Poisoning; Middle Aged; Peripheral Nerves
PubMed: 34397926
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000026910 -
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C.... Aug 1961
Topics: Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Neurology
PubMed: 13755287
DOI: No ID Found -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Oct 2001
Topics: Humans; Mercury Poisoning; Methylmercury Compounds
PubMed: 11706907
DOI: No ID Found -
The Western Journal of Medicine Apr 1992
Topics: Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Occupational Diseases
PubMed: 1574888
DOI: No ID Found -
Proceedings of the Royal Society of... Apr 1962
Topics: Humans; Lens Diseases; Lens, Crystalline; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning
PubMed: 13874938
DOI: No ID Found -
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi =... Apr 2014Along with global environmental pollution resulting from economic development, heavy metal poisoning in children has become an increasingly serious health problem in the... (Review)
Review
Along with global environmental pollution resulting from economic development, heavy metal poisoning in children has become an increasingly serious health problem in the world. It can lead to renal injury, which tends to be misdiagnosed due to the lack of obvious or specific early clinical manifestations in children. Early prevention, diagnosis and intervention are valuable for the recovery of renal function and children's good health and growth. This paper reviews the mechanism of renal injury caused by heavy metal poisoning in children, as well as the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and prevention and treatment of renal injury caused by lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium.
Topics: Cadmium Poisoning; Child; Chromium; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Lead Poisoning; Mercury Poisoning; Poisoning
PubMed: 24750823
DOI: No ID Found -
Revista de Saude Publica Feb 2003This is a review on current knowledge of chronic occupational mercurialism syndrome. Major scientific studies and reviews on clinical manifestation and physiopathology... (Review)
Review
This is a review on current knowledge of chronic occupational mercurialism syndrome. Major scientific studies and reviews on clinical manifestation and physiopathology of mercury poisoning were evaluated. The search was complemented using Medline and Lilacs data. Erethism or neuropsychological syndrome, characterized by irritability, personality change, loss of self-confidence, depression, delirium, insomnia, apathy, loss of memory, headaches, general pain, and tremors, is seen after exposure to metallic mercury. Hypertension, renal disturbances, allergies and immunological conditions are also common. Mercury is found in many different work processes: industries, gold mining, and dentistry. As prevention measures are not often adopted there is an increasing risk of mercury poisoning. The disease has been under diagnosed even though 16 clinical forms of mercury poisoning are described by Brazilian regulations. Clinical diagnosis is important, especially because abnormalities in the central nervous, renal and immunological systems can be detected using current medical technology, helping to develop the knowledge and control measures for mercurialism.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Humans; Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure
PubMed: 12488928
DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89102003000100017 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Mar 2017Despite measures to educate the public about the dangers of elemental mercury, spills continue to occur in homes, schools, health care facilities, and other settings,...
Despite measures to educate the public about the dangers of elemental mercury, spills continue to occur in homes, schools, health care facilities, and other settings, endangering the public's health and requiring costly cleanup. Mercury is most efficiently absorbed by the lungs, and exposure to high levels of mercury vapor after a release can cause cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and visual disturbances (1). Children and fetuses are most susceptible to the adverse effects of mercury vapor exposure. Because their organ systems are still developing, children have increased respiratory rates, and they are closer to the ground where mercury vapors are most highly concentrated (2). To summarize key features of recent mercury spills and lessons learned, five state health departments involved in the cleanup (Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, and Wisconsin) compiled data from various sources on nonthermometer mercury spills from 2012 to 2015. The most common sites of contamination were residences, schools and school buses, health care facilities, and commercial and industrial facilities. Children aged <18 years were present in about one third of the spills, with approximately one in seven incidents resulting in symptoms consistent with acute mercury exposure. To protect the public's health after a mercury spill, it is important that local, state, and federal agencies communicate and coordinate effectively to ensure a quick response, and to minimize the spread of contamination. To reduce the number of mercury spills that occur in the United States, public health officials should increase awareness about exchange programs for mercury-containing items and educate school and health care workers about sources of mercury and how to dispose of them properly.
Topics: Chemical Hazard Release; Humans; Mercury; Mercury Poisoning; Public Health Practice; United States
PubMed: 28301447
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6610a3