Primal Health Databank: Study
| Entry No: | 0131 |
| Title: | Cognitive deficit in 7-year-old children with prenatal exposure to methylmercury |
| Author(s): | Grandjean P, Weihe P, et al. |
| Reference: | Neurotoxicology and Teratology 1997; 19(6): 417-428 |
| Place of Study: | Faroe Islands |
| Abstract: | This is a study of the effect of prenatal exposure to methylmercury (organic mercury) on cognitive functions at age 7. The Faroe Islands were an ideal place for such a study because, according to ancient tradition, pilot whale meat is shared in certain communities. Mercury concentrations were measured in cord and maternal hair. 917 children were examined at age 7. The mercury related dysfunctions were more pronounced in the domains of language, attention and memory, and to lesser extent in visual, spatial and motor functions. |
| Keyword(s): | breastfeeding, intrauterine pollution, methylmercury, milk pollution, psychomotor development |
| Discussion: | The issue of prenatal contamination is different from the issue of breast milk contamination where mercury is concerned, because in milk 40% to 80% of mercury is inorganic whereas in the blood only 20% is inorganic. We do not know of any study evaluating the possible long term effects of mercury in breast milk. Let us mention a study of 30 lactating Swedish women conducted in a county where the population has access to fresh water fish from mercury polluted lakes, to fish from the gulf of Bothnia (reputed as polluted) and to frozen deep fish (from the ocean). The number of dental fillings was estimated. It appears from this study that mercury from amalgam fillings is the main source of mercury in milk. See entries 0128, 0129 and 0130 |
| See Also: | 0128, 0129, 0130 |
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