Association of maternal exposure to trace elements and toxic metals with repeated measurements of foetal and early-childhood growth: a systematic review.

2025-09
Occupational and environmental medicine 82(9)
- Yingying Zuo
- Yanyan Jiang
- Xinyun Li
- Juan Tong
- Fang-Biao Tao

PubMed: 41167610
DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2025-110158

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Methods: Comprehensive search conducted across four electronic databases, and 24 studies were included

Trace elements play crucial roles in regulating biological functions and maintaining homeostasis, but toxic metals may exert detrimental effects on the human body even at low doses. Prenatal elements exposure was related to children's anthropometric outcomes at single time points. However, most existing studies ignore the dynamic characteristics of child growth and the evolving trajectories of physical development. This review systematically examines the associations between prenatal trace elements and toxic metals exposure and childhood growth and development, with a particular focus on changes in longitudinal growth trajectories. A comprehensive search was conducted across four electronic databases, and 24 studies were included in the final analysis. Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children. In contrast, prenatal exposure to other trace elements, including zinc, calcium and copper, appears to have positive effects on child growth and development. The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined. Moreover, children's growth parameters and trajectories are generally negatively affected by exposure to toxic metals, such as lead, cadmium and mercury. This review provides evidence that prenatal element exposure plays an important role in offspring growth and development, and further research is needed to better elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these effects.

Research Insights

Calcium→Improved Child Growth and Development
The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Chromium→Reduced Physical Growth
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Effect
Harmful
Effect size
Small
Copper→Improved Child Growth and Development
The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Lithium→Improved Child Growth and Development
The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Manganese→Reduced Physical Growth
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Effect
Harmful
Effect size
Small
Vanadium→Reduced Physical Growth
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Effect
Harmful
Effect size
Small
Zinc→Improved Child Growth and Development
The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small

Adverse Events Reported

Manganese→physical growth restriction
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Finding
Increased risk
Chromium→physical growth restriction
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Finding
Increased risk
Vanadium→physical growth restriction
Maternal exposure to elevated concentrations of trace elements such as vanadium, chromium and manganese has been linked to physical growth restriction in children.
Finding
Increased risk
Lithium→Overall tolerability
The effects of lithium exposure during pregnancy have not been fully determined.
Finding
Reported
Copper→positive effects on child growth and development
In contrast, prenatal exposure to other trace elements, including zinc, calcium and copper, appears to have positive effects on child growth and development.
Finding
Reported
Calcium→positive effects on child growth and development
In contrast, prenatal exposure to other trace elements, including zinc, calcium and copper, appears to have positive effects on child growth and development.
Finding
Reported
Zinc→positive effects on child growth and development
In contrast, prenatal exposure to other trace elements, including zinc, calcium and copper, appears to have positive effects on child growth and development.
Finding
Reported