Association between age, blood lead concentration, and serum 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol levels in children

Serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-CC), the form of vitamin D active in stimulating intestinal absorption of calcium, phosphorus, and lead, were determined in 177 human subjects ages 1 to 16 yr. Significant negative association (r = -0.88) was observed between serum 1.25-CC levels and blood lead concentrations over the entire range of blood lead levels, 12 to 120 micrograms/dl. Adolescents ages 11 to 16 yr had serum 1,25-CC levels higher than those observed among children 10 yr old or younger. No effect of sex or season on serum 1,25-CC level was observed. When the 1,25-CC values for children with blood lead concentrations greater than 30 micrograms/dl were excluded from the analysis, no significant effect of geographic location on 1,25-CC levels was observed.