Environmental Contaminants and Infant Development

Completed

• Conditions: Mercury Poisoning; Lead Poisoning

• Registration Number: NCT00013858
• Lead Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

Brief Summary

This study is designed to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to environmental contaminants on cognitive and behavioral development and physical growth in two groups of Inuit infants-one in Northern Quebec; the other in Greenland.

Detailed Description

Due to prevailing weather patterns and ocean currents, certain environmental contaminants are transported to the Arctic region. The Inuit are among the most heavily exposed populations on earth due to the prevalence of these contaminants in traditional foods that comprise a large portion of their diet. The contaminants assessed in this study include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), methylmercury, selenium, organochlorine pesticides, and lead. These contaminants are measured in umbilical cord blood samples obtained at birth, milk samples obtained from breast-feeding mothers and, in the case of mercury, hair samples obtained from the mothers. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are also assessed in these samples to examine the degree to which these nutrients may protect against adverse effects attributable to these contaminants.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 1997-01
• Study First Submitted: 2001-03-30
• Study First Submitted QC: 2001-04-02
• Study First Posted: 2001-04-03
• Primary Completion: 2011-08
• Study Completion: 2011-08
• Status Verified: 2015-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-04-13
• Last Update Posted: 2015-04-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 280

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Public Health Centre of Quebec; 🇨🇦 Beauport, Quebec, Canada