Neurodevelopmental disabilities in children from low-to-middle income countries produce a substantial negative impact on societal and economic growth. Many of the causes of developmental disabilities, such as environmental toxins, nutritional deficiencies, psychosocial stressors, are common in resource-poor countries. Young children are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures because rapid development creates windows of opportunity for toxins to exert their effects. In areas of the world where little research on neurodevelopmental disabilities has been conducted, it is necessary to assess the prevalence and nature of cognitive and behavioral deficits. In Montevideo, Uruguay, there is evidence that children are exposed to multiple heavy metals. However, to date very little research exists in this unique setting to understand the effects of multiple metal exposures on cognition, behavior, and school performance of urban children. There is also no research on how these exposures could be prevented or mitigated. We propose to conduct an investigation of cognitive performance and behavior in 200 children aged 6-7 years from Montevideo, Uruguay. Early school age is a period of important intellectual and social growth, and it sets up children's scholastic trajectories. At this time, learning disabilities often become manifested and diagnosed in children. It is also an age when environmental insults are clearly manifested. The goal of this project is to build research capacity and infrastructure in environmental epidemiology. Also, it is to investigate the relationship between heavy metal exposures (lead, arsenic, mercury), trace metals (iron and manganese) and cognition, behavior, and school performance in children from Montevideo, Uruguay. In the process of collecting data, we will identify key steps in the research process that will require additional training or resources.

Public Health Relevance

Neurodevelopmental disabilities in children from low-to-middle income countries produce a substantial negative impact on societal and economic growth. Many of the causes of developmental disabilities, such as environmental toxins and nutritional deficiencies are common in resource-poor countries. We will conduct an investigation of cognitive performance and behavior in 200 children aged 6-7 years from Montevideo, Uruguay to understand the complex relationship between heavy metal exposures (lead, arsenic, mercury), trace metals (iron and manganese), and cognition, behavior, and school performance in children. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21ES016523-01
Application #
7426521
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-ICP2-B (50))
Program Officer
Kirshner, Annette G
Project Start
2008-09-17
Project End
2010-08-31
Budget Start
2008-09-17
Budget End
2009-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$137,153
Indirect Cost
Name
Pennsylvania State University
Department
Nutrition
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
003403953
City
University Park
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
16802
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Barg, Gabriel; Daleiro, Mónica; Queirolo, Elena I et al. (2018) Association of Low Lead Levels with Behavioral Problems and Executive Function Deficits in Schoolers from Montevideo, Uruguay. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15:
Desai, Gauri; Barg, Gabriel; Queirolo, Elena I et al. (2018) A cross-sectional study of general cognitive abilities among Uruguayan school children with low-level arsenic exposure, potential effect modification by methylation capacity and dietary folate. Environ Res 164:124-131
Kordas, Katarzyna; Burganowski, Rachael; Roy, Aditi et al. (2018) Nutritional status and diet as predictors of children's lead concentrations in blood and urine. Environ Int 111:43-51
Kordas, Katarzyna; Queirolo, Elena I; Mañay, Nelly et al. (2016) Low-level arsenic exposure: Nutritional and dietary predictors in first-grade Uruguayan children. Environ Res 147:16-23
Roy, Aditi; Queirolo, Elena; Peregalli, Fabiana et al. (2015) Association of blood lead levels with urinary F?-8? isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine concentrations in first-grade Uruguayan children. Environ Res 140:127-35
Kordas, Katarzyna; Ardoino, Graciela; Coffman, Donna L et al. (2015) Patterns of exposure to multiple metals and associations with neurodevelopment of preschool children from Montevideo, Uruguay. J Environ Public Health 2015:493471
Kordas, Katarzyna; Queirolo, Elena I; Ettinger, Adrienne S et al. (2010) Prevalence and predictors of exposure to multiple metals in preschool children from Montevideo, Uruguay. Sci Total Environ 408:4488-94