Comparison of biometric data of children with high and low levels of lead in the blood

Abstract

This paper deals with a biometric study of 312 boys and girls, aged 2.5-16 years, living in an area with a long history of pollution by lead. The aim was to search for eventual relationships between ten biometric variables and measures of lead absorption in the bodies, i.e. the amount of lead in the blood (PbB), of these children. Standardized values of the biometric variables were compared in the high-PbB and low-PbB categories, by multivariate analysis of variance. Comparison of the vectors of the ten biometric variables reveals a significant difference between the two categories of PbB levels. We found some evidence that the younger children (below 8 years of age) are more likely to absorb lead in the body and are more vulnerable to the effects of subclinical lead intoxication than their older counterparts. The differences between the averages of biometric variables in the two PbB categories are consistently (although not significantly) greater among younger children. This trend disappeared in the older age group. These results confirm data from the literature that young children are especially at risk. It can be concluded that there is a subtle, but significant, influence of lead absorption on the biometric profiles of children and that this effect is probably more important in children below 8 years of age.

Lead intoxication caused by skeletal disease

“…Possibly, as a result of lead effects on the skeleton, an inverse relationship has been reported between B-Pb value and age-related height in children (32). Effects pointing in the same direction have been reported by other authors (33)(34)(35).…”

Relationship between low blood lead levels and growth in children of white-collar civil servants in Korea

“…Evaluating the potential health effects of lead on the general public is necessary (Goyer, 1990) more susceptible than adults to the absorption and subclinical toxicity of lead (Lauwers et al, 1986). Studies of children have shown relationships between low blood lead levels and various health issues such as cognitive effects (Needleman and Gatsonis, 1990;Canfield et al, 2003), growth hormone secretion (Huseman et al, 1992), and nutritional status (e.g., iron, calcium, and caloric intake) (Lacasana et al, 2000;Hammad et al, 1996;Gallicchio et al, 2002).…”

Effect of succimer on growth of preschool children with moderate blood lead levels.

“…National surveys have documented 1-to 2-cm deficits in children's heights for each 10-µg/dL difference in blood lead levels (Ballew et al 1999;Frisancho and Ryan 1991;Schwartz et al 1986), a finding replicated by several clinical studies (Angle and Kuntzleman 1989;Bithoney 1989;Lauwers et al 1986;Routh et al 1979). Weight has been less consistently associated with lead exposure (Ballew et al 1999;Bithoney 1989;Johnson and Tenuta 1978;Kim et al 1995;Schwartz et al 1986).…”