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. 2024 Apr 30;14(1):9947.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-60830-z.

Association between maternal heavy metal exposure and Kawasaki Disease, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

Takanori Yanai  1 , Satomi Yoshida #  1 , Masato Takeuchi #  1 , Chihiro Kawakami #  2 , Koji Kawakami #  3 , Shuichi Ito #  2   4 ; Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

Association between maternal heavy metal exposure and Kawasaki Disease, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS)

Takanori Yanai et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis primarily affecting young children, with an unclear etiology. We investigated the link between maternal heavy metal exposure and KD incidence in children using the Japan Environment and Children's Study, a large-scale nationwide prospective cohort with approximately 100,000 mother-child pairs. Maternal blood samples collected during the second/third trimester were analyzed for heavy metals [mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn)], divided into four quartiles based on concentration levels. KD incidence within the first year of life was tracked via questionnaire. Among 85,378 mother-child pairs, 316 children (0.37%) under one year were diagnosed with KD. Compared with the lowest concentration group (Q1), the highest (Q4) showed odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for Hg, 1.29 (0.82-2.03); Cd, 0.99 (0.63-1.58); Pb, 0.84 (0.52-1.34); Se, 1.17 (0.70-1.94); Mn, 0.70 (0.44-1.11), indicating no concentration-dependent increase. Sensitivity analyses with logarithmic transformation and extended outcomes up to age 3 yielded similar results. No significant association was found between maternal heavy metal levels and KD incidence, suggesting that heavy metal exposure does not increase KD risk.

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Conflict of interest statement

Koji Kawakami receives research funds from Eisai Co., Ltd., Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., OMRON Corporation, and Toppan Inc.; consulting fees from Advanced Medical Care Inc., JMDC Inc., and Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories Ltd.; executive compensation from Cancer Intelligence Care Systems, Inc.; and honoraria from Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Pharma Business Academy. Other authors, Takanori Yanai, Masato Takeuchi, Satomi Yoshida, Chihiro Kawakami, and Shuichi Ito declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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