[NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN ECOLOGICALLY AFFECTED REGION OF GEORGIA]

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pediatric Neurology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
• Environmental factors, including air pollution, are increasingly implicated in neurological disorders.
• Understanding the impact of environmental toxins on child development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical evidence linking air pollution exposure to neurological impairment in children with ADHD.
• To determine the correlation between blood levels of specific heavy metals (Hg, Pb) and essential microelements (Zn, Cu) and ADHD severity.
• To explore the relationship between geographical location, environmental pollutants, and neurological outcomes in different pediatric age groups.

Main Methods:

• Clinical assessment of neurological impairment in children diagnosed with ADHD.
• Analysis of blood samples to quantify levels of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu).
• Comparison of pollutant levels and neurological status across children residing in areas with varying anthropogenic impact and different age groups (2-5, 6-9, 10-13 years).

Main Results:

• A significant correlation was found between the severity of neurological impairment and the blood concentrations of Hg, Pb, Zn, and Cu in children with ADHD.
• Children living in different regions exhibited varying levels of xenobiotics and essential microelements in their blood.
• The study identified a link between the living area, environmental pollutant exposure, and the measured levels of metals and microelements.

Conclusions:

• Environmental factors, specifically air pollution and associated heavy metal exposure, play a role in the neurological development of children with ADHD.
• The levels of xenobiotics and essential microelements in a child's blood are indicative of environmental exposure and potential neurological impact.
• Further consideration of the primary and secondary roles of environmental factors is necessary for understanding neurological disorders in areas with significant anthropogenic impact.