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Neurobehavioral estimation of children with life-long increased lead exposure
A Benetou-Marantidou1, S Nakou, J Micheloyannis
1Institute of Child Health, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Children living near lead smelters showed neurological deficits and poorer school performance due to elevated blood lead levels. These adverse effects on neurodevelopment persisted over four years.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Lead exposure is a significant environmental health concern, particularly for children residing near industrial sources like lead smelters.
- Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP) levels are indicators of lead toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurobehavioral effects of chronic lead exposure in children living near a lead smelter.
- To assess the long-term impact of lead exposure on neurological development and academic performance.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 30 children (6-11 years) with high BLLs (35-60 µg/100 ml) and EP levels (>100 µg/100 ml) underwent neurobehavioral examinations.
- Comparison was made with age, sex, and socioeconomically matched children from unpolluted areas with normal EP levels.
- Assessments included neurological examinations, the Oseretsky test for motor maturation, and the Rutter behavioral questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Children with elevated BLLs exhibited a higher incidence of pathological neurological findings, including muscle hypotonia, increased reflexes, dysarthria, and dysdiadochokinesia.
- The Oseretsky test revealed retardation of motor maturation in lead-exposed children.
- Children with lead exposure scored higher on the minimal brain damage scale and demonstrated poorer school performance, with differences persisting at 4-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Chronic exposure to lead from living near a smelter significantly impacts children's neurodevelopment and neurological function.
- Lead-induced neurodevelopmental deficits, including motor and cognitive impairments, can have lasting effects on academic achievement.
- Environmental lead exposure poses a substantial risk to pediatric populations, necessitating protective measures and interventions.
Abstract:
A battery of neurobehavioral examinations was carried out on 30 children who were 6-11 yr of age and who had resided near a lead smelter all their lives. Their blood lead levels were 35-60 micrograms/100 ml and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels were greater than 100 micrograms/100 ml. Neurological examination revealed that they had a significantly higher incidence of pathological findings (e.g., muscle hypotonia, increased tendon reflexes, dysarthria, and dysdiadochokinesia) than children from an unpolluted area who were matched for age, sex, family size, and educational and socioeconomic status of the parents, but who had normal erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels. The children with elevated blood lead levels showed, after assessment by the Oseretsky test, retardation of motor maturation; they also scored higher on the minimal brain damage scale of the Rutter behavioral questionnaire. These differences persisted at a 4-yr follow-up, and their school performance was consistently poorer than that of the controls.