Cerebral Blood Circulation Diagnostics in Children Exposed to Industrial Toxicants

Introduction: The problem of early diagnostics of cerebral circulation pathology in children, who are exposed to industrial toxicants, is not well-studied. Objective: The study was designed to assess the features of impaired cerebral circulation in children, when exposed to environmental formaldehyde, phenol, cresol and methanol. Method: A total of 120 children (6 to 10 years of age) who lived in the area influenced by the emissions of chemical companies. The children were randomized to two groups, depending on the concentrations of chemicals in their bio-samples. The examination was carried out using a Toshiba Aplio XG ultrasound scanner (Japan) with 1.8-2.5 MHz multi-frequency linear-array transducers. All the measurements were performed under standard conditions. Results: In order to assess cerebrovascular disorders caused by exposure to environmental chemicals of industrial origin, the authors proposed to use transcranial Doppler sonography. The children, exposed to phenol, cresol, formaldehyde and methanol, demonstrated such features of cerebrovascular disorders as lower compliance, increased stiffness and resistance of cerebral artery walls. These changes in the vascular tone correlated with the blood level of chemicals of industrial origin. Conclusion: The investigation of the features of cerebrovascular disorders in children in environmentally unfavorable areas is of importance for the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases and the reduction of the mortality rate associated with their complications in adults.