Predictors of elevated blood lead level in Thai children: a pilot study using risk assessment questionnaire
Chulathida Chomchai1, Chantana Padungtod, Summon Chomchai
1Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics and Pediatric Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. sicgt@mahidol.ac.th
Insights
This pilot study effectively used a risk assessment questionnaire to identify environmental factors linked to elevated blood lead levels in Thai children. Findings highlight the need for larger studies to guide lead exposure prevention efforts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Environmental lead exposure risks in Thai children remain under-described post-leaded gasoline phase-out.
- A pilot study was conducted to assess lead exposure in children from urban and rural Thai communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a risk assessment questionnaire in identifying children with elevated blood lead levels.
- To identify environmental predictors associated with increased blood lead levels in Thai children.
Main Methods:
- A risk assessment questionnaire was administered to parents of 296 children across four communities in Bangkok and Kanchanaburi.
- Blood lead levels (BLLs) were measured in all participating children.
- Statistical analyses, including linear regression and ANOVA, were used to determine relationships between BLLs and risk factors.
Main Results:
- The average blood lead level was 5.65 ± 3.05 mcg/dL, with an overall prevalence of 8.1% of children exceeding 10 mcg/dL.
- The Klong Toey community showed a higher prevalence of elevated BLLs (12.5%).
- Key predictors identified included peeling paint, paint chip ingestion, and geographic location.
Conclusions:
- A risk assessment questionnaire combined with BLL measurement is effective for identifying environmental risk factors for lead exposure in Thai children.
- Further large-scale epidemiological studies are recommended to inform screening and prevention strategies for childhood lead poisoning.
Introduction:
In the era post leaded-gasoline use, the risk of exposure to environmental lead in Thai children is not well described. This is a pilot study using a risk assessment questionnaire to identify children with elevated blood lead level.
Material And Method:
Children from 4 communities, 2 in the Bangkok metropolitan area and 2 in Kanchanaburi province, were recruited during their well child visits. Blood lead levels were obtained in all children and parents are asked to fill out a 25-item risk assessment questionnaire.
Statistical Analysis:
The relationship between the blood lead level and dependent variables were tested using linear regression and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as appropriate.
Results:
There were 296 children included in the study; 33 from Klong Toey and 114 from Siriraj community in Bangkok while 149 were from two different communities in Kanchanaburi province. The average blood lead level was 5.65 +/- 3.05 mcg/dL. The overall prevalence of children with blood lead level > 10 mcg/dL was 8.1%, while that of the Klong Toey community was 12.5%. The questionnaire identified 3 independent predictors of elevated blood lead levels; the presence of peeling paint in or outside the house, eating paints chips, and the geographic location of children.
Conclusion:
Using a risk assessment questionnaire, together with obtaining blood lead level has proven effective in identifying key environmental features associated with elevated blood lead level in children from sampled Thai communities. The challenge now is to conduct a larger epidemiological study of a similar type in order to guide the screening and preventive efforts.
