Maternal methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion and child neurodevelopment in the first three years: a prospective cohort study in rural China

Table 6 Adjusted regression coefficients (95% confidence interval), including child’s primary caregiver-specific associations

12 months
	Mothers, Fathers, & Grandparents^a (n = 264, 100%)	Caregiver specific association
	Mothers, Fathers, & Grandparents^a (n = 264, 100%)	Mothers/Fathers (n = 240, 91%)	Grandparents (n = 24, 9%)	Interaction term p-value
MDI Log₂ Hair THg (β)	−1.9 (− 3.3, − 0.43)*	−1.3 (− 2.9, 0.20)	− 5.7 (−9.8, − 1.6)**	0.052
PDI Log₂ Hair THg (β)	−1.2 (− 2.9, 0.49)	−1.5 (− 3.3, 0.29)	1.0 (− 3.8, 5.8)	0.33
36 months
	Mothers, Fathers, & Grandparents^a (n = 190, 100%)	Caregiver specific association
	Mothers, Fathers, & Grandparents^a (n = 190, 100%)	Mothers/Fathers (n = 138, 73%)	Grandparents (n = 52, 27%)	Interaction term p-value
MDI Log₂ Hair THg (β)	−0.23 (− 2.1, 1.6)	−1.6 (− 3.7, 0.54)	3.1 (− 0.21, 6.3)	0.02*
PDI Log₂ Hair THg (β)	−1.0 (− 3.4, 1.3)	− 1.9 (− 4.7, 0.79)	1.2 (−3.0, 5.5)	0.21

*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 p-values are for the Beta coefficients
MDI Mental Developmental Index, PDI Psychomotor Developmental Index, THg total mercury
Note: All estimates are from models that were adjusted for maternal age (years), maternal fish consumption (0 servings/weekly, 0 < servings/weekly< 2 servings/weekly, or ≥ 2 servings/weekly), maternal rice consumption (<daily, or ≥ daily), maternal serum zinc (μg/L), log₂ maternal blood lead (μg/dL), log₂ maternal energy intake (kcal), pre-pregnancy body mass index (underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese), maternal education completed (<high school, high school, or some university), child sex, birth weight-for-gestational age (z-score), child’s primary caregiver (2 categories: mother/father, or grandparent), the difference in child’s age between the targeted age and actual age at testing (months), and the interaction between THg and the child’s caregiver
^aThis model does not include the interaction of THg with the child’s caregiver

ISSN: 1476-069X