Study raises concerns of long-term problems in children after China tainted milk scandal

China studies long-term impact of tainted milk

BEIJING — More than one in 10 children sickened by tainted milk still were suffering from kidney problems six months afterward, Chinese researchers have found, raising concerns about the long-term effects of China’s massive food safety scandal.

At least six children died and nearly 300,000 children fell ill two years ago after consuming infant formula deliberately watered down with the industrial chemical melamine in order to fool inspectors testing for protein.

Researchers from Peking University’s Institute of Reproductive and Child Health found that while most children in a rural Chinese area who became ill after drinking tainted milk had recovered, 12 percent still had kidney problems six months later.

The report was published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

“The potential for long-term complications after exposure to melamine remains a serious concern,” the report said. “Our results suggest a need for further follow-up of affected children to evaluate the possible long-term impact on health, including renal function.”

The researchers conducted ultrasound screenings of 7,933 children under 3 years of age living in rural areas near the headquarters of Sanlu Group Co., the dairy at the center of the scandal, in the northern city of Shijiazhuang, in September 2008.

The initial screening found that 48 children suffered from kidney stones or swollen kidneys, the report said. The researchers monitored most of these children at intervals of one, three and six months and found that “renal abnormalities” remained in 12 percent of the children.

The scandal came to light in September 2008 when reports of babies suffering from kidney stones appeared in the Chinese media, prompting a Chinese dairy to recall hundreds of tons of baby formula and the government to launch an investigation.

With so many children affected, many parents blamed the government for certifying the contaminated milk powder as safe. To try to defuse public anger, the government offered payouts and free health screenings and medical treatment.

Melamine, which can cause kidney stones and kidney failure, was added to watered-down milk to fool inspectors testing for protein content and increase profits. The chemical, which is used to make plastics and fertilizers, has also been found added to pet food and fish feed.

Despite tightened regulations and increased inspections on producers, melamine-tainted milk products have shown up repackaged in several places around the country recently, exposing weaknesses in China’s promises to better police the food chain.