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Published on: March 6, 2018
[Children and lead exposure. Preliminary study]
1Departamento de Saúde Ambiental e Toxicologia, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Hospital de Crianças Maria Pia.
Insights
Lead poisoning is a significant concern for children in Portugal. This study found that a large proportion of children in Porto have elevated blood lead levels, indicating a widespread public health issue.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatrics
- Toxicology
Context:
- Lead poisoning is a common yet preventable childhood illness.
- This study represents the first evaluation of childhood lead exposure in Portugal.
- The Oporto area was the focus for assessing blood lead levels in young children.
Purpose:
- To characterize blood lead levels in children aged 1 to 6 years in the Oporto area.
- To identify specific risk groups within the pediatric population.
- To develop effective screening strategies for childhood lead poisoning.
Summary:
- An opportunistic sample of 113 children (aged 1-6) in Porto, excluding those with neurological or digestive symptoms, underwent blood lead level testing.
- Results indicated significant lead exposure: one child had class-IV levels (46.6 µg/dL), 32% had class-III levels (20-44 µg/dL), and only 3.2% had class-I levels (≤9 µg/dL).
- The study highlights that lead poisoning is a substantial problem in Portugal, with a small proportion of children having safe lead levels.
Impact:
- The findings underscore the prevalence of lead poisoning among Portuguese children.
- Identified children in class-II and above are at risk for acute and chronic toxicity.
- This research provides a basis for targeted public health interventions and screening programs in Portugal.
Unlabelled:
Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable childhood illness. The authors believe that the present study is the first evaluation of this problem in Portugal.
Objectives:
a) to characterize blood lead levels in children aged 1 to 6 years living in the Oporto area; b) to identify risk groups and develop screening strategies.
Material And Methods:
The authors studied an opportunistic sample of children that were observed at the Hospital Maria Pia and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (Porto) to whom blood testing was requested. All children with neurological or digestive symptoms were excluded (October-December 1991; n = 113).
Results:
One child had a blood lead level of 46.6 micrograms/dl (class-IV, CDC); 32% (n = 36) were between 20 e 44 micrograms/dl (class-III), while only four children (3.2%) presented values < = 9 micrograms/dl (class-I). Class II included the remainder (n = 73). The results clearly point out that lead poisoning is a real problem among Portuguese children, since the proportion of children not considered to be lead-poisoned is very small. Children in the other classes are at risk of developing acute and chronic toxicity.
