Long-term health effects of arsenic poisoning from contaminated milk powder in infants
What it found
Arsenic poisoning from contaminated milk powder during infancy was linked to higher death rates, cancers, nerve disorders, and lasting changes in growth.
These findings came from seven studies involving 15,701 people.
What they found
Studies in people
Death rates and cancers
People exposed to arsenic as infants had higher overall death rates. This was mainly due to cancers and nerve system disorders.
Growth and blood markers
Exposed individuals were shorter as adults. They also had higher levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase in their blood.
Teeth and skin damage
Dental problems included underdeveloped tooth enamel and gum disease. Skin issues like small pale spots lasted for decades after exposure.
Other organ diseases
Arsenic poisoning in infancy was linked to diseases of the urinary tract, lungs, heart, and nervous system later in life.
What the authors conclude
- They state that arsenic exposure during early development causes lifelong health problems requiring specialized medical monitoring across multiple fields.
- The authors advise that safety limits for arsenic in infant nutrition products should be reviewed again to prevent similar harm.
How it was done
Arsenic is a common cause of poisoning worldwide and can lead to life-threatening conditions in many body systems. The authors wanted to gather existing research on the long-term health effects when infants are poisoned by arsenic.
The authors searched five research databases for studies published up to May 2025. They selected seven studies that met their criteria, covering a total of 15,701 participants. They also assessed the risk of arsenic exposure through powdered milk and checked study quality.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These studies followed people over time after they were exposed.
- That design can show a link between arsenic and later illness but cannot prove it caused every outcome.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declarations. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: Not applicable. Consent for Publication: The study’s execution did not require informed consent. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- University of Assiut, Egypt; Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan; Al-Azhar University, Egypt
The paper
- Title
- Long-Term Effects of Arsenic Poisoning during Infancy Due to Contaminated Milk Powder: A Systematic Review
- Type
- Systematic review
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Saad K, Odat RM, Mansour A, et al (2026). Long-Term Effects of Arsenic Poisoning during Infancy Due to Contaminated Milk Powder: A Systematic Review. Neurotoxicity research. doi:10.1007/s12640-026-00783-5PubMed 41665811DOI
Summary written 1 Oct 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error