Blood Lead Levels in Children of Southwest Iran, Aged 2-6 Years and Associated Factors
SC01-SC04
Correspondence
Dr. Abolfazl Khoshdel,
Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences,
Shahrekord, Iran.
E-mail: nikakhosh@gmail.com
Introduction: Lead is one of the toxic metals that can cause several complications in children.
Aim: This study was conducted to determine Blood Lead Levels (BLLs) in healthy children and its association with individual and environmental factors.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 262 healthy children aged 2-6 years in Shahrekord, Southwest Iran in 2013. After taking serum samples from the children, the checklists of effective environmental factors on lead toxicity were completed after interviewing the parents. BLLs were determined by ICP-MS. Data were analysed by descriptive and analytical statistics (chi-square and ANOVA) in SPSS 16.
Results: BLLs ranged 0.4-52.8 (mean: 6.9±7.9) ng/ml. BLL was significantly associated with father’s education level, house colour damage, canned food use and soil eating (p<0.05), but not with age, gender, economic status, proximity to factory and kohl use (p>0.05).
Conclusion: BLL can cause serious health risks for children in Shahrekord and is associated with certain risk factors. It is necessary to screen for these risk factors.