Long-Term Effects of Arsenic Poisoning during Infancy Due to Contaminated Milk Powder: A Systematic Review.
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Arsenic is a prevalent and significant cause of poisoning worldwide, leading to both acute and chronic toxicity. The life-threatening nature of arsenic toxicity is evident in its link to fatal health conditions in different parts and systems of the body. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the existing literature on long-term health outcomes following arsenic poisoning during infancy. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases from their inception up to May 2025. The final selection included seven studies that met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 15,701 participants. A risk assessment of arsenic exposure through powdered milk was done, and a quality assessment was performed. Seven studies were included. Arsenic poisoning due to contaminated milk powder has many effects on multiple organs. This review synthesizes evidence demonstrating that arsenic poisoning during infancy is associated with increased all-cause mortality, primarily attributable to malignancies, neurological disorders, and persistent alterations in somatic development. Exposed individuals exhibited reduced adult height, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and an increased incidence of malignancy. Dental sequelae comprised enamel hypoplasia and gingivitis; dermatological manifestations included persistent punctate hypomelanosis and other cutaneous abnormalities enduring decades. This systematic review delineates the multifaceted long-term health consequences of infantile arsenic poisoning from contaminated milk powder, encompassing malignancies, genitourinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. These findings establish arsenic exposure during critical developmental windows as a lifelong health determinant that requires specialized, multidisciplinary medical surveillance protocols. Regulatory standards for arsenic in infant nutrition products need to be reevaluated to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.