Risk Factors for Lead Toxicity and its Effect on Neurobehavior in Indian Children.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pediatric Toxicology
• Neurobehavioral Science

Background:

• Lead (Pb) exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to children.
• Understanding lead toxicity prevalence and its impact on child development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine lead toxicity prevalence in Indian children (9-15 years).
• To assess biochemical parameters and neurobehavioral implications of lead exposure.
• To identify risk factors associated with elevated blood lead levels (BLL).

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 70 children aged 9-15 years.
• Blood lead levels (BLL) measured using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.
• Biochemical parameters analyzed, and neurobehavioral assessment using the Childhood Psychopathological Measurement Schedule (CPMS).

Main Results:

• Median BLL was 4.9 μg/dL, with 50% of children having BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL.
• High BLL group showed significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase and phosphorous levels.
• Children with high BLL exhibited significantly higher adverse neurobehavioral scores compared to the low BLL group.

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of lead toxicity in Indian children necessitates public health interventions.
• Lifestyle factors like consuming roadside food and proximity to traffic are significant risk factors.
• Lead exposure is associated with adverse neurobehavioral outcomes and biochemical alterations in children.