Early-life exposure to aluminum and fine motor performance in infants: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is a well-established neurotoxicant. However, little is known about its effects on the neurodevelopment of infants. To examine early-life exposure to Al in relation to neurodevelopment in healthy infants. Nail Al concentrations were measured among 747 newborn babies within 6 months of delivery in the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Neurodevelopment was assessed using Ages and stages questionnaire (third edition, ASQ-3) at ages 6 and 12 months. General linear regression models were performed to estimate the associations between Al concentrations and ASQ-3 scores. After adjustment for potential confounders, early-life exposure to Al was not associated with any neurodevelopmental performance at age 6 months. However, Al level was associated with an increased risk of having a low fine motor score (quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, mean difference (MD): −1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): −3.22, −0.05; P-trend\u2009<\u20090.01) at 12 months. No association was found for communication, gross motor, problem-solving, or personal-social score at 12 months. Early-life exposure to Al may be associated with poor fine motor skills in a dose-response manner among apparently healthy infants at age 12 months.