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High lead content of deciduous teeth in chronic renal failure
K Schärer1, G Veits, A Brockhaus
1Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Insights
Children with chronic renal failure (CRF) show higher lead levels in their teeth, suggesting lead exposure may worsen kidney disease. This indicates a potential link between lead burden and kidney dysfunction in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Lead exposure is a known environmental health concern.
- The relationship between lead burden and chronic renal failure (CRF) in children requires further investigation.
- Pediatric kidney disease progression may be influenced by environmental toxins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess lead levels in children with CRF.
- To compare lead burden in children with CRF to control groups.
- To explore the association between lead exposure and renal dysfunction in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Blood and deciduous teeth lead content were measured in 22 children (aged 5-14) with CRF.
- Lead levels were compared to a control group of siblings/neighbors (C1) and children with no excessive lead exposure (C2).
- Individual lead exposure was estimated via patient histories.
Main Results:
- Mean blood lead concentration in patients was within the normal range.
- Mean dental lead content was significantly higher in children with CRF (2.8 µg/g) compared to both control groups (C1: 1.7 µg/g, C2: 1.4 µg/g).
- Increased dental lead content correlated with a higher risk of lead exposure.
Conclusions:
- Children with CRF exhibit elevated dental lead levels, irrespective of blood lead concentration.
- Both increased lead uptake and impaired renal function may contribute to higher lead burden in pediatric CRF.
- Lead exposure is a potential contributing factor to the progression of kidney disease in children.
Abstract:
Lead is suspected to contribute to the progression of kidney disease. Lead content of blood and deciduous teeth was determined in 22 children aged 5-14 years at different stages of chronic renal failure (CRF). In addition, individual lead exposure was estimated from histories. The results were compared with a control group of 20 siblings or neighbours of patients living in the same environment (C1), and to a group of children known to be free of excessive lead exposure (C2). The mean blood lead concentration of patients was normal (mean 2.9 micrograms/dl, range 1.1.-10.1). Mean dental lead content was 2.8, 1.7 and 1.4 micrograms/g in CRF, C1 and C2, respectively. It always exceeded that of healthy peers. Increased dental lead content was associated with a high risk of exposure. It is suggested that both an increased lead uptake and renal dysfunction may contribute to the increased lead burden in children with CRF.