Abstract
ISEE-0726 Background and Objective: Because blood lead has been associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we examined whether improvement of ADHD symptoms correlates with lower blood lead or mercury levels among children involved in the Children’s Health and Environmental Research (CHEER). Methods: CHEER is a prospective cohort study of children who were first grade elementary school at baseline from 10 Korean cities. Of 2,722 first grade children who participated in the 2006 survey, 1,949 children were followed up in the 2008 survey (follow-up rate, 71.6%). We examined the relationship between changes of blood lead and mercury level and ADHD symptoms assessed using the Dupaul’s parental scale. Results: Prevalence of ADHD was decreased from 12.3% in 2006 to 9.2% in 2008. Blood lead level was decreased from 1.8 ug/dl in 2006 to 1.6 ug/dl in 2008 among the same children while blood mercury was slightly increased from 2006 to 2008. Of 1,710 who did not have ADHD symptoms in 2006, 87 children (5.1%) were reported as having ADHD symptoms in 2008. Of 239 children who had ADHD in 2006, 147 children (61.5%) were reported as not having ADHD in 2008. Blood lead levels were decreased amongst children whose ADHD status changed from positive in 2006 to negative in 2008 (P = 0.01) while changes in blood lead levels amongst the other children were not significant. Blood mercury levels were also significantly lower among children whose ADHD symptoms changed from positive to negative during the two years. The findings were not altered after considering children’s age, gender, residential area and household income, which might influence the changes in blood levels of lead or mercury as well as ADHD symptoms. Conclusion: Lower blood lead and mercury levels is associated with ADHD symptom improvement which may have important implications in children’s environmental health.
Published Version
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