Contribution of social and developmental factors to lead exposure during the first year of life

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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

K N Dietrich, K M Krafft, D T Pearson

    Pediatrics
    |June 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Parental behavior significantly impacts infant blood lead levels after 6 months of age, especially as children become mobile. Early lead exposure prevention requires supporting the caretaker-child relationship.

    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Health
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Pediatrics

    Background:

    • Early lead exposure poses significant risks to child development.
    • Understanding the environmental and social factors influencing lead exposure is crucial for effective intervention.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the social and developmental correlates of early lead exposure in infants.
    • To identify key factors associated with infant blood lead levels in a longitudinal study.

    Main Methods:

    • Interim analysis of data from an ongoing longitudinal investigation in Cincinnati.
    • Examination of the association between parental behavior and infant blood lead levels.

    Main Results:

    • Parental behavior was significantly associated with infant blood lead levels after 6 months of age.
    • This association intensified with infant mobility (prewalking and walking stages).
    • The physical availability of lead was less critical than behavioral factors after 6 months.

    Conclusions:

    • Parental management plays a critical role in mitigating early lead exposure once infants become mobile.
    • Future lead screening and abatement programs should integrate support for the caretaker-child relationship.

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