Abstract: Objective To obtain a cross-sectional data of children in Shanghai on blood arsenic levels, influencing factors, and to evaluate the relationship between arsenic exposure and children's physical growth, in order to provide reference for the prevention and intervention of health problems caused by arsenic exposure. Methods A total of 2 263 children aged 0 - 6 years in Shanghai, recruited between 2013 and 2015, with available blood samples, anthropometric growth indicators, and baseline demographic data were selected as study subjects. Total arsenic levels in whole blood were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS). Associations between arsenic exposure and children's physical growth were analyzed using univariate linear regression and multivariable linear regression. Results The median blood arsenic level in Shanghai children was 1.57μg/L. Girls had higher blood arsenic levels than boys (1.67μg/L vs. 1.47μg/L, Z=510 794.50, P<0.05); children whose primary caregivers smoked had higher blood arsenic levels than those whose caregivers did not smoke (1.83μg/L vs. 1.52μg/L, Z=275 783.00, P<0.05); children who frequently consumed sea fish and freshwater fish had higher blood arsenic levels than those who occasionally consumed sea fish (1.69μg/L vs. 1.34μg/L, Z=417 778.00, P<0.05) and freshwater fish (1.69μg/L vs. 1.37μg/L, Z=443 342.00, P<0.05). After adjusting for parental height, weight, and household income, arsenic exposure level was significantly negatively associated with age-specific height-for-age Z-score (β=-0.08, 95%CI:-0.12 to -0.03, P<0.01), weight-for-age Z-score (β＝-0.07, 95%CI:-0.11 to -0.03, P<0.01), and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-score (β＝-0.05, 95%CI:-0.10 to 0.00, P=0.03). Conclusion There are sex differences in blood arsenic levels among 0- to 6-year-old children in Shanghai, which are related to dietary factors and have a negative correlation with physical growth in children.

Key words: blood arsenic levels, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, physical growth, children

摘要： 目的 研究上海市儿童血砷水平、影响因素以及与体格生长的关联,为预防和干预由砷暴露引起的健康问题提供参考。方法 选取2013—2015年招募的具有血液样本、体格生长指标和人口基线数据的2 263名上海市0~6岁儿童作为研究对象,使用电感耦合等离子体质串联谱仪(ICP-MS/MS)测定全血总砷水平,采用单因素线性回归和多重线性回归分析砷暴露与儿童体格生长的关联。结果 上海市儿童血砷的中位数水平为1.57μg/L。女童血砷水平高于男童(1.67μg/L vs. 1.47μg/L,Z=510 794.50,P<0.05);主要照看人吸烟的儿童血砷水平高于未吸烟的儿童(1.83μg/L vs. 1.52μg/L,Z=275 783.00, P<0.05),经常摄入海水鱼和淡水鱼的儿童血砷水平高于偶尔摄入海水鱼者(1.69μg/L vs. 1.34μg/L,Z=417 778.00,P<0.05)和淡水鱼者(1.69μg/L vs. 1.37μg/L,Z=443 342.00,P<0.05)。调整父母身高、体重、家庭经济状况后,砷暴露水平与儿童年龄别身高Z评分(β＝-0.08, 95%CI:-0.12~-0.03, P<0.01)、年龄别体重Z评分(β＝-0.07, 95%CI:-0.11~-0.03, P<0.01)及年龄别BMI-Z评分(β＝-0.05, 95%CI:-0.10~0.00, P＝0.03)均呈显著负相关。结论 上海市0~6岁儿童的血砷水平存在性别差异,与膳食等因素有关,并与儿童体格生长存在负向关联。

关键词: 血砷, 电感耦合等离子体质串联谱仪, 体格生长, 儿童