Lead exposure and early child neurodevelopment among children 12–24 months in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Childhood lead exposure remains a problem in developing countries, and little is known about its effects on early child neurodevelopment and temperament in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We, therefore, conducted this study to determine the association between lead exposure and the neurodevelopment and behaviour of children aged 12–24 months in Kinshasa, DRC. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and June 2012, and parents of 104 children were invited to participate. Blood lead levels (BLLs) of each child were tested using the flame atomic spectrophotometry method. All children were subject to a clinical examination and assessed with two selected early child neurodevelopmental tools, the Gensini–Gavito and the baby characteristics questionnaire, to measure their neurodevelopment and temperament. Detectable BLLs ranged from 1 to 30 μg/dl with a geometric mean of 6.9 (SD 4.8) μg/dl. BLLs at 5–9 and ≥10 μg/dl were significantly associated with the child temperament (p <0.05). Perinatal and maternal factors did not seem to affect early child neurodevelopment and temperament. Children exposed to lead were reported with more temperament difficulties at even blood lead levels <10 μg/dl, suggesting the need for preventive and intervention measures to reduce lead exposure among children in Kinshasa, DRC.

Environmental exposure to metal mixtures and linear growth in healthy Ugandan children

“…Analysis by multivariable linear regression modeled HAZ as a continuous outcome. Metals and metallic elements were selected based upon previously described association with stunting (Pb, Se, Zn) [7][8][9][23][24][25][26], known developmental toxicity (Pb, As, Cd) [27][28][29] or nutritional importance for healthy growth and development (Se, Zn) [8,30,31]. Two subjects were excluded for missing height measurements, and one subject was excluded for errors in heavy metals measurements, resulting in a final sample size of 97 children.…”

The Neuroprotective Role of Coenzyme Q10 Against Lead Acetate-Induced Neurotoxicity Is Mediated by Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Apoptotic Activities

“…Once absorbed, Pb diffuses into the soft tissues, causing adverse effects in the kidney, hematopoietic, reproductive, and cardiovascular systems, with the central nervous system identified as one of the most affected organs following Pb exposure [3,4]. Children are the most susceptible to Pb toxicity and are at risk of several irreversible impairments including neurodevelopmental defects, intellectual disabilities, and behavioral deficits [5]. Although the precise mechanisms involved in Pb-induced neurotoxicity remain unclear, several factors have been suggested to play a key role, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and alterations to neurochemical, molecular, and cellular signaling.…”

Soil-transmitted helminth infection in pregnancy and long-term child neurocognitive and behavioral development: A prospective mother-child cohort in Benin

“…Hookworm infections at the 2nd ANV/delivery and at least once during pregnancy were associated with higher internalizing scores in crude and adjusted models. Blood lead level in children, known to impair long-term neurocognitive development [ 41 , 42 ], was considered in models in sensitivity analyses. Neither blood lead level measured in children at one year nor at six years had a significant impact on the association between SHIP and child development.…”