Injury Trends for Adolescents with Early Childhood Manganese Exposure

The objective of this pilot research study is to to investigate adolescents with a known childhood Mn body burden from the CARES cohort to determine if they are at an increased risk of injury in adolescence. We hypothesize elevated concentrations of biomarkers of childhood Mn exposure will be associated with common events leading to injury and being injured in adolescence. This hypothesis will be tested by the following specific aims: Specific Aim 1: Obtain injury histories (since age 13 years) of the Marietta CARES cohort participants. This aim will be accomplished by developing and administering a survey to adolescents currently enrolled in the CARES cohort. Specific Aim 2: Determine the association between childhood and adolescent biomarkers of Mn exposure, as measured in blood, hair and toenails and self-reported adolescent injury data. This aim will be accomplished by employing multi-variable regression models to the association between Mn and injury. Specific Aim 3: Report back adolescent postural balance findings to Marietta CARES community. This aim will be accomplished through the presentation of findings at a virtual community meeting.