Assessment of Blood Lead Levels in Pre-School Children in Kuwait
Insights
Nearly half of children in Kuwait aged 6-72 months have elevated blood lead levels (EBLL). This study highlights Kuwait as a high-risk area for lead exposure, necessitating screening programs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Lead exposure poses significant health risks to children, particularly those under 72 months.
- Kuwait's industrial and environmental factors may contribute to elevated lead levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) in children aged 6-72 months in Kuwait.
- To identify potential risk factors associated with lead exposure in this population.
Main Methods:
- A representative sample of 200 children from Kuwait's six governorates was targeted.
- Blood samples were analyzed for lead using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
- Elevated blood lead level (EBLL) was defined as ≥3.5μg/dL per CDC guidelines.
Main Results:
- 157 children met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 5.2 years.
- The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLL) was 49.0%.
- A higher proportion of females exhibited EBLL compared to males.
Conclusions:
- 49% of Kuwaiti children aged 6-72 months exceeded the CDC's reference value for EBLL.
- Kuwait's petrochemical industry, traffic, and climate contribute to high lead exposure risk.
- Longitudinal studies and lead screening programs are recommended for prevention.
Objective:
To assess levels of lead in the blood of children aged between 6 and 72 months, who were born and raised in Kuwait.
Methods:
This study targeted households with children who met the required age range in all six governorates of Kuwait. The sample size formula provided a representative sample of 200 children. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was utilized to analyze for lead. The Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests for normality were used to evaluate all variables. The 2-test was used for differences, and logistic regression for associations of the categorical variables. An elevated blood lead level (EBLL) was defined as an EBLL of ≥3.5μg/dL, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Results:
157 children, of whom 72 (45.9%) were males and 76 (48.4%) were females, met the inclusion criteria. The mean (SD) age was 5.2 (2.13) years. The prevalence of EBLL was 49.0%. The proportion of EBLL was higher among females than the males.
Conclusions:
The study revealed that 49 % of children had EBLL exceeding the CDC's reference value for children. The heavy petrochemical industry, together with one of the highest traffic burdens and the desert climate, makes Kuwait and neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries a high-risk area for lead (Pb) exposure. Longitudinal studies with more detailed environmental assessments are recommended to determine the presence of lead in an environment where children are likely to be and to implement lead screening programs as preventive control measures.
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