Current knowledge of environmental exposure in children during the sensitive developmental periods.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to identify the scientific evidence on the risks and effects of exposure to environmental contaminants in children during sensitive developmental periods.


METHODS
The search was performed in the Bireme database, using the terms: children's health, environmental exposure, health vulnerability, toxicity pathways and developmental disabilities in the LILACS, MEDLINE and SciELO systems.


RESULTS
Children differ from adults in their unique physiological and behavioral characteristics and the potential exposure to risks caused by several threats in the environment. Exposure to toxic agents is analyzed through toxicokinetic processes in the several systems and organs during the sensitive phases of child development. The caused effects are reflected in the increased prevalence of congenital malformations, diarrhea, asthma, cancer, endocrine and neurological disorders, among others, with negative impacts throughout adult life.


CONCLUSIONS
To identify the causes and understand the mechanisms involved in the genesis of these diseases is a challenge for science, as there is still a lack of knowledge on children's susceptibility to many environmental contaminants. Prevention policies and more research on child environmental health, improving the recording and surveillance of environmental risks to children's health, should be an ongoing priority in the public health field.
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e Biociências, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Departamento de Medicina Geral/Pediatria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: norma.perlroth@gmail.com.
Norma Helena
NH
Perlroth
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem e Biociências, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Departamento de Ciências Naturais, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Christina Wyss
CW
Castelo Branco
D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004782:Environmental Health; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans
D004785:Environmental Pollutants
Children's health; Deficiências do desenvolvimento; Developmental disability; Environmental exposure; Exposição ambiental; Pathways of toxicity penetration; Saúde infantil; Vias de penetração da toxicidade; Vulnerabilidade; Vulnerability