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Published on: January 19, 2024
Blood's Concentration of Lead and Arsenic Associated with Anemia in Peruvian Children
Ana Maria Linares1, Jason M Unrine2, Amanda Thaxton Wigging3
1College of Nursing, 751 Rose St, Room 435-A, CON Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Insights
Lead and arsenic were found in all Peruvian infants, but not linked to anemia. Iron supplementation significantly reduced anemia risk, while herbal tea intake correlated with microcytosis and hypochromia.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Hematology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Iron-deficient anemia (IDA) is a significant health concern in infants.
- Environmental toxicant exposure, such as lead (Pb) and arsenic (As), may impact hematological parameters.
- Understanding the interplay between environmental factors, nutrition, and anemia in young children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine blood lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) concentrations in Peruvian infants.
- To investigate the association of Pb and As with iron-deficient anemia (IDA) and anthropometric measurements.
- To identify risk factors for anemia, microcytosis, and hypochromia in this population.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory, descriptive cohort study of 60 Peruvian children aged 3-24 months.
- Measured blood Pb and As concentrations.
- Assessed hematological parameters (Hb, MCV, MCH) and anthropometric measurements.
- Utilized Chi-square analysis and logistic regression (OR, CI) to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Anemia (Hb < 10.5 g/dL) was present in 20% of children; 54% had microcytosis (MCV < 70 fL) and 42% had hypochromia (MCH < 23 pg).
- Pb and As were detected in 100% of samples, with higher levels in older infants, but showed no association with IDA or anthropometry.
- Iron supplementation was linked to an 87% reduced likelihood of low Hb (OR=0.13, p=0.04); herbal tea intake was associated with microcytosis and hypochromia.
Conclusions:
- Hematological parameters indicative of anemia are prevalent in Peruvian children, often co-occurring with microcytosis and hypochromia.
- While Pb and As were ubiquitous, they were not found to be associated with IDA or anthropometric status in this cohort.
- Iron supplementation is a key protective factor against anemia; further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to explore complex anemia predictors.
Abstract:
This exploratory, descriptive cohort study (N = 60) determined lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) blood concentrations in Peruvian children and their association with hematological parameters of iron-deficient anemia (IDA) and anthropometric measurement. The mean age of children was 10.8 months (SD = 4.7) and ranged from 3 to 24 months old. Anemia (Hb levels below 10.5 g/dL) was found in 20% of this cohort. Additionally, microcytosis (MCV < 70 fL) was present in 54%, and hypochromia (MCH < 23 pg) in 42% of the group of children. Chi-square analysis showed that 88% of the children with anemia also had microcytosis and hypochromia (p < 0.001). Pb and As were detected in 100% of the infants' blood samples, and the concentrations were significantly higher in older infants than in younger ones. Pb and As were not associated with the sex, anthropomorphic parameters, or infant hemogram changes. Infants who received iron supplementation were 87% less likely to have low Hb compared with those who did not (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02-0.88, p=0.04). Herbal tea intake was significantly associated with microcytosis and hypochromia. Our finding uncovered that hematological parameters for anemia are modified in Peruvian children with high levels of microcytosis and hypochromia. Concentrations of Pb and As were above method detection limits in all Peruvian children, but these were not associated with IDA or anthropometric measurements. A large study, including other variables, would benefit from allowing a more complex model predicting anemia in Peruvian children.
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