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Pica and elevated blood lead level in autistic and atypical children
Insights
Children with developmental disorders, particularly autism, show higher blood lead levels. This increases risks, making blood lead screening essential for early detection and intervention in vulnerable children with pica.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Environmental health
- Developmental neuroscience
Background:
- Children with severe developmental issues often exhibit pica and unusual eating habits.
- These behaviors increase the risk of lead ingestion, even in seemingly safe environments.
- Elevated blood lead levels can cause neurological and behavioral problems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate blood lead concentrations in children with atypical development, including autism.
- To compare lead levels in autistic children versus non-autistic psychotic children and neurotypical siblings.
- To highlight the need for blood lead screening in vulnerable children.
Main Methods:
- Blood lead concentration measurements were taken.
- Comparison groups included autistic children, non-autistic psychotic children, and normal siblings.
- Statistical analysis compared mean blood lead levels across groups.
Main Results:
- Autistic children had significantly higher mean blood lead concentrations compared to controls.
- 44% of psychotic children (autistic and non-autistic) exceeded normal blood lead levels.
- The impact of lead on behavior may be masked in severely disorganized children.
Conclusions:
- Children with atypical development and pica are at high risk for elevated blood lead levels.
- Blood lead screening is crucial for the medical care of these children.
- Early identification of lead exposure can prevent long-term health consequences.
Abstract:
Children with severely atypical development often display pica, habitual mouthing, and odd food preferences as symptoms from the first year of life. Such children can ingest dangerous amounts of lead even in environments that are usually considered safe. Mean blood lead concentration was notably higher in 18 autistic children than in 16 nonautistic psychotic children or in ten normal siblings. Fifteen (44%) of the psychotic children (autistic and nonautistic) had blood lead levels greater than two standard deviations above the mean for normal controls. Behavioral and neurological sequelae of elevated blood lead level may be obscured in severely disorganized children. Screening for blood lead should be part of the medical care of these vulnerable children with pica.