Arsenic in contaminated milk powder and long-term health
What it found
Infants poisoned by arsenic in contaminated milk powder had higher death rates and lasting health problems decades later.
The evidence comes from seven studies of 15,701 people.
What they found
Studies in people
Deaths from all causes
Arsenic poisoning during infancy was linked to more deaths from all causes, mostly from cancers and neurological disorders.
Growth and development
Exposed people had reduced adult height and lasting changes in physical development.
Cancers
There was a higher incidence of malignancy in those exposed.
Blood marker
Exposed individuals had elevated serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations.
Teeth and skin
Dental effects included enamel hypoplasia and gingivitis. Skin effects included persistent punctate hypomelanosis and other skin abnormalities that lasted decades.
Other organ effects
The review found effects on the genitourinary, respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological systems.
What the authors conclude
“These findings establish arsenic exposure during critical developmental windows as a lifelong health determinant that requires specialized, multidisciplinary medical surveillance protocols.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say arsenic exposure during critical developmental windows is a lifelong health determinant that requires specialized, multidisciplinary medical surveillance protocols.
- They state that regulatory standards for arsenic in infant nutrition products need to be reevaluated to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
How it was done
Arsenic is a common cause of poisoning worldwide and is linked to fatal health conditions in many parts of the body. The authors wanted to review what is known about long-term health outcomes after arsenic poisoning in infancy.
They searched five databases from their start up to May 2025 and included seven studies with a total of 15,701 participants. They assessed arsenic exposure through powdered milk and rated study quality.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The included studies followed people over time, so they can show links between infant arsenic exposure and later health problems, not proof that arsenic caused them.
- Other factors in these people's lives could also play a part.
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 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error