Exposure to toxic metals in war zones endangers early childhood development

Advanced military technology exposes civilians to various toxic metals. New research in the field of psychology provides evidence that mothers’ and newborns’ exposure to toxic metals in wars endangers the children’s motor, cognitive and emotional development. Since breastfeeding during the first months is generally considered beneficial to infant health, the researchers were also interested in the role of breastfeeding in metal exposure and its association with child development issues.

A recent psychological study shows that high levels of toxic metals in mothers and newborns are associated with early childhood development problems. 

The study examined how maternal and newborn prenatal exposure to toxic metals affects the infants’ sensorimotor, cognitive and socioemotional development, as well as the role of breastfeeding.

The research focused on the exposure to carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and teratogenic metals in war conditions. These heavy metals cause cancer, damage the nervous system and disrupt foetal development and include, e.g., chromium, tungsten, uranium and mercury. The study measured their concentrations in the hair of mothers and newborns. 

The results showed that high levels of toxic metals in mothers and newborns predicted developmental problems in the infants at the ages of 6 and 18 months. The infants presented problems in sensorimotor, cognitive, and socioemotional skills, such as sensory functions and movement control, language development and learning emotional regulation. 

This association was found in both mothers and newborns who had been exposed to carcinogenic metals. High levels of neurotoxic metals in mothers and teratogenic metals in newborns were also connected to developmental problems. 

Babies miss the beneficial effects of breastfeeding in war zones

Breastfeeding during the first six months is generally considered favourable to an infant’s health and the mother-child relationship. It has also been found to protect against many developmental risks.

“In war zones, toxic metals contained in new-generation weapons pose health risks to civilians, with children and pregnant women being particularly vulnerable. Since breastfeeding has many beneficial effects, we wanted to study its role in exposure to toxic metals,” says Emerita Professor of Psychology Raija-Leena Punamäki from Tampere University.

Previously, individual toxic metals, such as white phosphorus and depleted uranium, have been studied in war zones for their connection to pregnancy complications or newborn health. In this new study, 18 toxic metals were tested from the hair samples of mothers and newborns at birth. The research sheds new light on infant development in families experiencing war trauma by also analysing the significance of breastfeeding.

The research results indicate that exposure to toxic metals had a negative effect on breastfeeding. Mothers’ high levels of carcinogenic and neurotoxic metals were associated with the reduced intensity and duration of breastfeeding. Insufficient breastfeeding in turn strengthened the negative effects of toxic metals on infant development.

“Toxic metals used in weapons and bombs can disrupt optimal breastfeeding which is one of the naturally protective functions in infancy. This effect reminds us that the consequences of war atrocities are not limited to victims or survivors but can be transferred to children through various routes, including contaminating their environment and preventing vital nutrition,” the researchers conclude.

Supporting early development in traumatic conditions

The study involved 502 Palestinian mothers and infants living in the occupied Gaza Strip and the sample was representative of the Palestinian population in the area. Mothers were invited to participate in the study at four maternity hospitals in the North, Central, and South Gaza areas, as well as Gaza City. The criterion for participation was that the mothers were pregnant during the war of 2014. When the infants were 6 months and 18 months of age, the researchers interviewed the mothers and assessed the children’s development at the homes of the families.

The researchers’ goal was to provide tools for professionals and families to support child development and parental resources in war zones. The study generated new knowledge specifically on supporting early development in traumatic war conditions and refugee families. 

“The human consequences of toxic metals contained in weapons can be especially severe in early childhood, which is why it is important to tailor effective prevention programmes for war victims of different ages,” Punamäki says.

The research group comprised Emerita Professor of Psychology Raija-Leena Punamäki and Researcher, University Instructor Mervi Vänskä from Tampere University as well as Safwat Y. Diab (Al-Quds Open University, Gaza), Nabil AlBarqouni (Islamic University of Gaza) and Samir R. Qouta, (Doha Institute for Graduate Studies). 

The research was published in the Infant Behavior and Development journal in March 2025.