Manganese And Children's Brain Development

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 06 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Evidence is slowly building that manganese in air, water and even soy-based formula can sometimes accumulate to toxic levels in children. There are no federal health standards for manganese exposure, in part because data are only beginning to emerge on its effects. Occupational exposure has long been known to be neurotoxic, producing behavior changes, memory loss and a Parkinson-like syndrome.

This study, led by Children's toxicologist and emergency physician Robert Wright, MD, is among the first to document manganese neurotoxicity in children. In collaboration with the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico, investigators collected blood samples from 300 12-month old Mexican children who were at risk for high-level manganese exposure. High manganese levels correlated with low neurocognitive scores at the age of 24 months, as did the lowest levels (likely because manganese is also an essential nutrient).

Exposure to high levels of both manganese and lead appeared to be synergistically toxic. Wright believes manganese "is where lead was 50 years ago" in terms of its recognition as a toxin and suggests that health based standards for manganese exposure are needed.

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is a 397-bed comprehensive center for pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its research visit: http://www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.

Children's Hospital Boston

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