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The relationship of hyperactivity to moderately elevated lead levels.
Archives of Environmental Health
|November 1, 1983
Summary
Moderately elevated lead levels may be toxic for children with hyperactivity. Lead chelation treatment significantly improved behavior, suggesting a toxic link between lead exposure and hyperactivity in children.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Neurology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Debate continues regarding the neurotoxicity of moderately elevated lead levels in children with central nervous system (CNS) dysfunctions.
- Assessing lead toxicity often involves observing symptom improvement after lead removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential toxicity of moderately elevated lead levels in children diagnosed with hyperactivity.
- To evaluate the efficacy of lead chelation therapy in ameliorating hyperactivity symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized treatment regimen was employed.
- Children with defined hyperactivity and moderately elevated lead levels received a lead chelating agent.
- Behavioral improvements were assessed by parents, teachers, and physicians.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant behavioral improvements were observed in children treated with the lead chelating agent.
- Improvements were consistently reported across all three evaluator groups (parents, teachers, physicians).
Conclusions:
- The findings support the hypothesis that moderately elevated lead levels are toxic in children with hyperactivity.
- Lead chelation therapy demonstrated efficacy in improving behavioral symptoms associated with lead exposure.