Neurobehavioral effects of low-level lead exposure in human neonates

In a clinically healthy sample of 103 African American neonates maternal blood lead levels <10 micrograms/dL were related to discrete aspects of neonatal behavior but not to a priori cluster scores of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. In statistical tests modest detrimental effects on motor control and attention were found for neonatal subjects whose mothers had slightly higher blood lead levels in the sixth and seventh prenatal months. Correlation and dose-effect trends reveal slightly poorer attention and motor control performance among neonatal offspring of mothers with higher maternal blood lead levels. These results are in agreement with those of previous studies, which have consistently reported modest statistical relationships between low-level prenatal lead exposure and neonatal behavior.