Background: Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a ubiquitous element present in the groundwater worldwide. Cardiovascular effects related to iAs exposure have been studied extensively in adult populations. Few epidemiological studies have been focused on iAs exposure–related cardiovascular disease in children.

Objective: In this study we investigated the association between iAs exposure, blood pressure (BP), and functional and anatomical echocardiographic parameters in children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 161 children between 3 and 8 years was conducted in Central Mexico. The total concentration of arsenic (As) species in urine (U-tAs) was determined by hydride generation–cryotrapping–atomic absorption spectrometry and lifetime iAs exposure was estimated by multiplying As concentrations measured in drinking water by the duration of water consumption in years (LAsE). BP was measured by standard protocols, and M-mode echocardiographic parameters were determined by ultrasonography.

Results: U-tAs concentration and LAsE were significantly associated with diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in multivariable linear regression models: DBP and SBP were 0.013 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.024) and 0.021 (95% CI: 0.004, 0.037) mmHg higher in association with each 1-ng/mL increase in U-tAs ( p < 0.025), respectively. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was significantly associated with LAsE [5.5 g higher (95% CI: 0.65, 10.26) in children with LAsE > 620 compared with < 382 μg/L-year; p = 0.03] in an adjusted multivariable model. The systolic function parameters left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and shortening fraction were 3.67% (95% CI: –7.14, –0.20) and 3.41% (95% CI: –6.44, –0.37) lower, respectively, in children with U-tAs > 70 ng/mL compared with < 35 ng/mL.

Conclusion: Early-life exposure to iAs was significantly associated with higher BP and LVM and with lower EF in our study population of Mexican children.

Citation: Osorio-Yáñez C, Ayllon-Vergara JC, Arreola-Mendoza L, Aguilar-Madrid G, Hernández-Castellanos E, Sánchez-Peña LC, Del Razo LM. 2015. Blood pressure, left ventricular geometry, and systolic function in children exposed to inorganic arsenic. Environ Health Perspect 123:629–635;  http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307327

Addresss correspondence to L.M. Del Razo, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508, México DF 07360 Mexico. Telephone (555) 747-3306. E-mail: ldelrazo@cinvestav.mx

We thank the children and their families as well as A. De Vizcaya Ruiz, A. Barrera-Hernández, E. Melgar Paniagua, and M.A. Sánchez Guerra (Department of Toxicology, CINVESTAV) and the staff of Jurisdicción Sanitaria 5 de Zimapán, Hidalgo, for their extraordinary efforts with subject recruitment, interviews, medical exams, and sample collection.

This project was sponsored by CINVESTAV-IPN and Conacyt (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología) (187798).

The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

Received: 6 July 2013 Accepted: 24 February 2015 Advance Publication: 27 February 2015 Final Publication: 1 June 2015

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