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. 2022 Mar:161:107126.
doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107126. Epub 2022 Feb 3.

Longitudinal analyses of maternal and cord blood manganese levels and neurodevelopment in children up to 3 years of age: The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

Midori Yamamoto  1 , Akifumi Eguchi  2 , Kenichi Sakurai  3 , Shoji F Nakayama  4 , Makiko Sekiyama  5 , Chisato Mori  6 , Michihiro Kamijima  7 ; Japan Environment, Children's Study Group
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Free article

Longitudinal analyses of maternal and cord blood manganese levels and neurodevelopment in children up to 3 years of age: The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

Midori Yamamoto et al. Environ Int. 2022 Mar.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace metal and a neurotoxicant. Adverse effects of Mn exposure on the neurodevelopment of children have been reported. However, there is limited information on the effects of maternal exposure during pregnancy.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the association between maternal and cord blood Mn levels and neurodevelopment in children aged between 6 months and 3 years using data from a Japanese nationwide birth cohort study.

Methods: We used the data of 63,767 mother-child pairs with maternal blood Mn measurements recorded during the second and third trimester and of 3,787 mother-child pairs with cord blood Mn measurements. Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Japanese version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, third edition (J-ASQ-3), which was completed by parents or guardians at 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years, 2 years, 2.5 years, and 3 years of age.

Results: The median maternal and cord blood Mn levels were 15.2 and 44.5 ng/g, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, both maternal and cord blood Mn levels were negatively associated with J-ASQ-3 scores. Maternal blood Mn levels were negatively associated with gross motor function scores at all ages except for that at 1.5 years (adjusted β: -0.55 to -1.23 for a two-fold increase in maternal Mn levels). The risk of developmental delay (score below the cut-off) in gross motor function increased at the same time points (adjusted odds ratio: 1.08 to 1.13). In the subgroup, cord blood Mn levels were negatively associated with gross motor function scores at 1, 2, and 2.5 years (adjusted β: -1.84 to -3.27).

Discussion: Maternal blood Mn levels during pregnancy and cord blood Mn levels were negatively associated with neurodevelopment in children up to 3 years of age. Excessive maternal and fetal exposure to Mn may have adverse effects on neuromotor function in children.

Keywords: Child; Japanese translation of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, third edition; Manganese; National birth cohort; Neurodevelopment; Pregnancy.

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