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Associations between cognitive function, blood lead concentration, and nutrition among children in the central

Orville Solon1, Travis J Riddell, Stella A Quimbo

  • 1School of Economics, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|January 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Lead exposure significantly impairs cognitive function in young children, especially those with folate and iron deficiencies. Folate supplementation may offer a protective effect against lead

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Neurodevelopment
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cognitive function in children from less-developed countries is poorly understood.
  • Lead exposure is a potential environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the impact of lead exposure on cognitive function in young children.
  • To investigate the role of nutritional factors in modulating lead's effects on cognition.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 877 children (6 months-5 years) in the Philippines.
  • Used validated psychometric instruments and blood lead level (BLL) measurements.
  • Developed multi-stage models to control for nutritional and other confounders.

Main Results:

  • Each 1 microg/dL increase in BLL correlated with a 3.32-point decline in cognitive function (ages 6 months-3 years) and a 2.47-point decline (ages 3-5 years).
  • Blood lead levels were inversely associated with hemoglobin and folate levels.
  • Higher folate levels partially mitigated the negative cognitive impact of lead exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Lead exposure demonstrates greater toxicity to cognitive function than previously recognized.
  • Children with folate and iron deficiencies are more vulnerable to lead's adverse cognitive effects.
  • Folate supplementation may provide a protective strategy against lead-induced cognitive impairment.
Abstract

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