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Blood lead levels and growth status of children
B B Little1, L M Snell2, W L Johnston2
1Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75235.
Insights
Elevated blood lead (Pb) levels in children significantly hinder growth, causing deficits in height, weight, and head circumference. Pica, a symptom of lead poisoning, was also more frequent in children with higher lead exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Childhood lead exposure is a significant public health concern.
- Previous research indicates a correlation between elevated blood lead levels and adverse health outcomes in children.
- Growth deficits are a known consequence of lead (Pb) intoxication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of blood lead levels on physical growth in children.
- To investigate the association between blood lead concentration and specific clinical symptoms.
- To identify risk factors contributing to lead poisoning in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 139 children (aged 1-10 years) attending a lead (Pb) clinic.
- Measurement of height, weight, and head circumference in relation to blood lead levels.
- Comparison of clinical symptom frequencies between high and low blood lead level groups.
Main Results:
- Each 10 μg/dl increase in blood lead was associated with a 1.6 cm decrease in height, 1.4 kg decrease in weight, and 0.6 cm decrease in head circumference.
- Children with high blood lead levels (X̄pb = 34.6 μg/dl) exhibited increased frequencies of hearing deficits, dental problems, and hyperactivity compared to low lead group (X̄pb = 11.9 μg/dl).
- Pica was significantly more prevalent in the high blood lead group, suggesting oral ingestion of non-food items as a primary exposure route.
Conclusions:
- Elevated blood lead levels are a critical risk factor for growth deficits in children.
- Lead exposure contributes to various clinical symptoms, including developmental and behavioral issues.
- Addressing pica is crucial for preventing lead poisoning and its associated growth impairments in children.
Abstract:
Several studies have shown that elevated blood lead (Pb) levels in children are associated with decreased growth. Among 139 children aged 1 to 10 years (66 male, 73 female) who attended a Pb clinic in Dallas, Texas, growth was decreased by 1.6 cm in height, 1.4 kg in weight, and 0.6 cm in head circumference for each 10 μg/dl increase in blood Pb. Consistent with previously reported effects of Pb, several clinical symptoms (hearing deficit, dental problems, hyperactivity) were increased in frequency among children with high blood Pb levels (X̄Pb = 34.6 μg/dl ± 5.6) compared to the children in the low Pb level group (X̄Pb = 11.9 μg/dl ± 3.3). Interestingly, pica was significantly increased in frequency among children in the high Pb group, indicating oral consumption of non-food matter was a major source of Pb intoxication. These results suggest that increased Pb level is an important risk factor for growth deficits in children.
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