SAT-184 Association of Heavy Metal Exposure with Short Stature in Preschoolers: A Pilot Study

Abstract Disclosure: M. Shin: None. S. Kim: None. Background: Exposure to heavy metals is a growing public health concern, particularly for its potential impact on childhood growth. However, the relationship between heavy metal exposure and growth outcomes, such as short stature, idiopathic short stature (ISS), and growth hormone deficiency (GHD), remains poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the association between heavy metal exposure and these growth-related conditions in children. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 24 children with short stature and 12 controls. Blood and urinary levels of heavy metals—mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), cesium (Cs), cadmium (Cd), antimony (Sb), thallium (Tl), and nickel (Ni)—were measured and categorized into tertiles or dichotomized at the median. The prevalence of short stature, ISS, and GHD was compared between groups using the Fisher’s exact test. Odds ratios (ORs) for short stature in the highest versus lowest tertile of heavy metal exposure were calculated after adjusting for sex and age. Quantile G-computation models were used to assess the combined effects of metal mixtures on growth outcomes. Results: The prevalence of short stature, ISS, and GHD increased significantly with higher heavy metal exposure levels. A significantly higher prevalence of short stature was observed in children with elevated blood Pb (50% vs. 83.3%, P=0.03) and urinary As levels (50% vs. 83.3%, P=0.03). ISS prevalence was significantly higher in children with elevated Pb levels (16.7% vs. 55.6%, P=0.01), while GHD prevalence was marginally higher in those with elevated urinary Hg levels (16.7% vs. 44.4%, P=0.07). Adjusted ORs indicated a significant association between high blood Pb levels and ISS and between high urinary As levels and short stature . Quantile G-computation revealed that blood Pb and urinary As were key contributors to ISS, while urinary As and Hg were significant contributors to GHD. Significant associations were observed between heavy metal mixture exposure and both ISS and GHD, with OR of 2.32 (95% CI: 1.12-4.79) for ISS and 3.01 (95% CI: 1.83-2.25) for GHD. Conclusion: This study demonstrates an association between elevated heavy metal exposure and impaired growth outcomes in children, including short stature, ISS, and GHD. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to reduce environmental heavy metal exposure and mitigate its impact on pediatric health. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm causality and explore underlying mechanisms. Presentation: Saturday, July 12, 2025