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Abstract
BackgroundLead is a toxic metal that affects almost every organ in the body. Children are more susceptible to lead toxicity because they ingest non-food items (pica), have oral exploratory habits, absorb more substantial amounts of ingested lead compared to adults, and have a developing central nervous system. This study describes venous blood lead concentrations (BLC) in young children living in Birjand, Iran.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 on children 1–7 years of age who were referred to healthcare centers in Birjand City. Demographic information was obtained, and their BLC was tested using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).ResultsFour hundred children were tested. Their mean age was 52.37 ± 23.77 months; their mean BLC was 2.49 ± 2.64 μg/dL (median 1.85 μg/dL). Thirty-two (8%) children had a BLC > 5 μg/dL. A logistic regression model revealed that per one unit of increase in age, the chance of an elevated BLC decreased by 3% (OR (95%CI): 0.97 (0.96–0.99), p < 0.01). The risks of an elevated BLC was 61% lower in girls compared to boys (OR (95%CI): 0.39 (0.17–0.92), p = 0.03). Further, per one rate of increase in the BMI, the chance of an elevated BLC was higher (OR (95%CI): 1.13 (1.02–1.24), p = 0.01). Children whose fathers were laborers had higher BLC than those with employee fathers (p = 0.01).ConclusionOf 400 children aged 1–7 years old living in Birjand, Iran, 8% had elevated BLC. BLC correlated with the child ‘s age, gender, body mass index, and father’s occupation.
Highlights
Lead is a toxic metal that affects almost every organ in the body
Lead toxicity may happen in children because they ingest non-food items, have oral exploratory habits, absorb more substantial amounts of ingested lead compared to adults, and they are more vulnerable to lead toxicity because they have a developing
While screening the blood lead concentrations (BLC) of children is practiced in other countries, no study has investigated the BLC in young children exposed to lead in the southern Khorasan province of Iran
Summary
Lead is a toxic metal that affects almost every organ in the body. Children are more susceptible to lead toxicity because they ingest non-food items (pica), have oral exploratory habits, absorb more substantial amounts of ingested lead compared to adults, and have a developing central nervous system. We investigated the BLCs and its associated factors (demographic factors such as age, sex, etc.; social parameters such as occupation and education levels of parents, addiction and cigarette smoking in parents and etc.; essential trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc concentrations; and hematological indices) in young children (1–7 years) living in Birjand, Iran. This cross- sectional study tested the hypothesis, which children with low social status / with parental exposure more likely to have elevated lead concentrations
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