Advances in Research on the Effects of Exposure to Metals and Bisphenol Pollutants on Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents
Childhood hypertension is a growing global concern, with approximately 4% of Chinese children exhibiting sustained elevated blood pressure meeting hypertension criteria, and single-time-point screening detecting rates of 14%–20% (up to 19% in obese children). Environmental exposure to metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, copper, chromium) and bisphenol analogues (bisphenol A, S, F) has been implicated as a modifiable risk factor. This review synthesizes epidemiological evidence linking such exposures to blood pressure alterations in children and adolescents, highlighting dose-response relationships and potential mechanisms, including oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and epigenetic programming. Key findings from cited studies indicate that low-dose bisphenol A exposure alters human cardiomyocyte functionality, and synergistic effects with insulin resistance elevate childhood blood pressure. Metal exposures, particularly lead and cadmium, are associated with increased blood pressure and cardiovascular structural changes. The review underscores the critical window of developmental exposure and the 'tracking phenomenon' linking childhood blood pressure to adult hypertension. Limitations include cross-sectional designs and confounding by mixed exposures. Future research should employ longitudinal cohorts and multi-pollutant models to refine risk assessment. Preventive strategies should integrate school health programs to reduce environmental exposure and monitor cardiovascular health.