Height and weight following lead poisoning in childhood

The effect of lead on growth was examined in 104 lead-poisoned subjects (Pb-B [blood lead concentration], 4.82 to 22.73 mumol/L) and 27 sib-controls (Pb-B, 0.48 to 1.88 mumol/L). Blood lead concentration, height, and weight are reported for 1974 (the year of their first posttreatment recall for evaluation) and for 1985 (the year of their sixth recall). In 1974, when their mean age was 8 years and their mean Pb-B was 1.68 mumol/L, about 70% of the patients and sib-controls were in the 50th to 95th percentiles for height and weight. In 1985, when their mean age was 18 years and all Pb-Bs were less than 1.20 mumol/L, height and weight percentiles were similar to those of 1974. Lead did not seem to affect the genetic predisposition for height attainment, at high or low blood lead levels.