ABSTRACT

Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) have known harmful effects on children’s well-being. The object of this study was to measure the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, and Cd) in breast milk and infant hair, connected environmental factors, and the impact on infant growth and development at 8 months. Seventy-four breast milk samples and 46 infant hair samples were analyzed. Cd, Pb, and Hg were detected in 99%, 91%, and 87% of breast milk samples, respectively. Cd levels were higher in the hair of infants in extended families, living in older houses and when there was a maternal history of anemia and postpartum anemia. Hg levels in breast milk were higher in Denver II suspicious/abnormal infants than in Denver II normal infants. Further biomonitoring studies and preventive measures should be conducted to minimize exposure to toxic metals in early childhood period.

摘要

已知铅 (Pb)、汞 (Hg) 和镉 (Cd) 对儿童的健康有害。本研究的目的是测量母乳和婴儿头发中的重金属（Pb、Hg 和 Cd）水平、相关的环境因素以及对 8 个月大的婴儿生长发育的影响。分析了 74 个母乳样品和 46 个婴儿头发样品。分别在 99%、91% 和 87% 的母乳样品中检测到 Cd、Pb 和 Hg。在大家庭、住在老房子以及有贫血和产后贫血病史的母亲中，婴儿头发中的镉含量较高。Denver II 可疑/异常婴儿的母乳中 Hg 水平高于 Denver II 正常婴儿。