Lead screening in children presenting to three hospitals in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2021-322012
Author(s):  
Tharwat El Zahran ◽  
Hala Mostafa ◽  
Hani Hamade ◽  
Moustafa Al Hariri ◽  
Aed Saab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Leaded Gasoline ◽  
Traditional Remedies ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nationally Representative

BackgroundLead damages most body organs and its effects are most profound in children. In a study in Beirut in 2003, before banning the leaded gasoline, 79% of the participants showed blood lead levels (BLLs) higher than 5 µg/dL. The prevalence of lead exposure in Lebanon after the ban on leaded gasoline has not been studied. This study assessed the BLL in Lebanese children aged 1–6 years.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals in Beirut. The children’s BLLs were tested, and their caregiver completed a questionnaire to identify subgroups at risk of exposure. Participants were provided with a WHO brochure highlighting the risks of lead.ResultsNinety children with a mean age of 3.5±1.5 years were enrolled in the study and had a mean BLL of 1.1±0.7 µg/dL, with all values being below 5.0 µg/dL, showing a marked decrease in BLL compared with the mean BLL before the ban on leaded gasoline in 2002. Having a father or a mother with a college degree (p=0.01 and p=0.035, respectively) and having a monthly household income greater than $1000 (p=0.021) were associated with significantly lower BLL. Having more rooms at home and residing close to construction sites were associated with a significantly lower BLL (p=0.001 and p=0.026, respectively). Residing in a house aged >40 years and receiving traditional remedies were associated with a significantly higher BLL (p=0.009 and p<0.0001, respectively).ConclusionBLLs have declined among Lebanese children and this could be attributed to multiple factors including the ban of leaded gasoline. It would be beneficial to conduct a larger study with a nationally representative sample to better characterise the BLL.

scholarly journals The correlation between uremic pruritus and blood lead levels in prevalent hemodialysis patients and its relation to the severity of pruritus using visual analog score

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Mahmoud Shawky ◽  
Reeham Abdel Aziz Abdel Hamid ◽  
Lina Essam Khedr
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Visual Analog Score ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Uremic Pruritus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Group 2

Abstract Background Pruritus is a common and often distressing symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease. Though the pathogenesis of uremic pruritus remains poorly understood, systemic inflammation has presented itself as one of the possible explanations. High blood lead levels (BLLs) have been noted to be associated with inflammation and poor nutritional status in hemodialysis patients. Our aim is to study the relation between blood lead levels and uremic pruritus. This is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 50 patients; all were on regular hemodialysis 3 times per week for at least 6 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1 (n =10) with no pruritus and group 2 (n=40) with varying degrees of pruritus. Group 2 was further divided according to intensity of pruritus by visual analog score (VAS) into mild (n=10), moderate (n=20), and severe pruritus (n=10). Results There was a significant difference in serum lead levels and ferritin levels between groups 1 and 2 (p value < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in serum lead levels in the groups with varying intensity of pruritus, having higher serum lead levels in patients who exhibited severe pruritus (p value < 0.005) Moreover, a statistically significant relation between elevated blood lead levels and the duration of dialysis was observed in this study. Conclusion Uremic pruritus is a multi-factorial phenomenon, and our study showed that blood lead levels in hemodialysis patients might be associated with increased intensity of pruritus.

scholarly journals Ultra-processed food consumption in Barbados: evidence from a nationally representative, cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Harris ◽  
Angela M. C. Rose ◽  
Suzanne Soares-Wynter ◽  
Nigel Unwin
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Nationally Representative

Abstract Our objective was to describe, for the first time in an English-speaking Caribbean country, the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to nutrients linked to non-communicable disease. Using a cross-sectional study design, dietary data were collected from two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Recorded food items were then classified according to their degree of processing by the NOVA system. The present study took place in Barbados (2012–13). A representative population-based sample of 364 adult Barbadians (161 males and 203 females) aged 25–64 years participated in the study. UPFs represented 40⋅5 % (838 kcal/d; 95 % CI 791, 885) of mean energy intake. Sugar-sweetened beverages made the largest contribution to energy within the UPF category. Younger persons (25–44 years) consumed a significantly higher proportion of calories from UPF (NOVA group 4) compared with older persons (45–64 years). The mean energy shares of UPF ranged from 22⋅0 to 58⋅9 % for those in the lowest tertile to highest tertile. Within each tertile, the energy contribution was significantly higher in the younger age group (25–44 years) compared with the older (45–64 years). One-quarter of persons consume ≥50 % of their daily calories from UPF, this being significantly higher in younger persons. The ultra-processed diet fraction contained about six times the mean of free sugars and about 0⋅8 times the dietary fibre of the non-ultra-processed fraction (NOVA groups 1–3). Targeted interventions to decrease the consumption of UPF especially in younger persons is thus of high priority to improve the diet quality of Barbadians.

Evaluation of blood lead among painters of buildings and cars

2021 ◽  
pp. 074823372110427
Author(s):  
Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman ◽  
Alireza Taherifard ◽  
Abbas Esmaeili ◽  
Hassan Ahmadinia ◽  
Mohsen Rezaeian
Keyword(s):  
Lead Level ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Absorption Spectrometry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Exposure to lead-based paints is a major threat to the health of painters. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of lead (Pb) in painters of buildings and cars. The present study was a cross-sectional study in which a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information. Lead concentration in blood samples was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. A total of 32 male painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in the painters was 8.1 ± 4.93 μg/dL. Pb levels in car and building painters were 9.42 ± 5.5 μg/dL and 6.7 ± 1.85 μg/dL, respectively. Pb concentration in none of the blood samples was more than 30 μg/dL. The prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL and BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL was 97% and 19%, respectively. According to the findings, the rate of BLL among car painters was higher than building painters. Considering the presence of Pb in all blood samples, it seems necessary to increase the awareness of painters about the adverse effects of lead exposure even in low concentrations. However, the sample size in this study was small and more investigations are required in this regard.

Identification of Children At Risk for Lead Poisoning: An Evaluation of Routine Pediatric Blood Lead Screening in an HMO-Insured Population

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary N. Haan ◽  
Marianne Gerson ◽  
B. Anne Zishka
Keyword(s):  
Health Maintenance Organization ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Elevated Blood Lead Levels

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in children receiving well-care checkups; and to evaluate the effectiveness of certain key risk factors in detecting children at higher risk for elevated blood lead levels. Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Two facilities of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP) health maintenance organization (HMO), northern California region. Patients. Six hundred thirty-six children, aged 12 to 60 months, who were seen at four KPMCP facilities in two subregions for a well-care checkup from September 1991 through August 1992. Interventions. Blood samples were collected from each child and analyzed for lead content. Participating parents completed a questionnaire that included questions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the child's and the parents' lead exposure via home, workplace, and hobbies. Results. Ninety-six percent of the children had blood lead levels under 10 µ/dL. Blood lead levels declined with increasing age and were higher for black children compared with whites. Age of residential housing, mother's education, and residence in an old house with peeling paint had low sensitivity and positive predictive value for identifying children with blood lead levels over 10 µ/dL. Conclusion. Universal routine screening for elevated blood lead levels in children in an employed, HMO-insured population is not warranted on grounds of prevalence. Responses to CDC questions do not effectively identify high-risk children in this population.

scholarly journals Assessment of a Screening Questionnaire to Identify Exposure to Lead in Pregnant Women

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9220
Author(s):  
Eléna Coiplet ◽  
Marine Freuchet ◽  
Claire Sunyach ◽  
Julien Mancini ◽  
Jeanne Perrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Lead Exposure ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Exposure During Pregnancy ◽  
Systematic Identification

Lead readily crosses the placenta and displays adverse effects on birth outcomes and neurodevelopment. Systematic identification of the risk of exposure during pregnancy is essential but rarely performed, probably due to hospital staff’s workload and their lack of awareness. We aimed to evaluate the relevance of a questionnaire to screen pregnant women for lead exposure. A cross-sectional, multicentre study was carried out on a population of 792 pregnant women from February 2018 to May 2020. A total of 596 women had a blood lead test: 68.5% had blood lead levels below 10 μg/L. The estimated prevalence above 25 µg/L was 4% (95% confidence interval (CI) [2.6–5.9]) and 1.3% had levels above 50 µg/L (95% CI [0.6–2.6]). Multivariate analysis showed that three risk factors significantly increased the probability of blood lead levels above 25 µg/L: the use of traditional cosmetics (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.90; 95% CI [1.65–9.21]; p = 0.002), degraded old housing (aOR: 2.67; 95% CI [1.19–6.038]; p = 0.018), and (marginally) eating bread more than twice a day (aOR: 2.40; 95% CI [0.96–6.11]; p = 0.060). Our study reveals that a three-question tool can be used to quickly screen for the risk of lead exposure in our population and to trigger lead blood tests and special vigilance during pregnancy follow-up.

scholarly journals Contemporary blood lead levels of children aged 0–84 months in China: A national cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 105288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Ming Li ◽  
Zhen-Yan Gao ◽  
Chen-Yin Dong ◽  
Mei-Qin Wu ◽  
Jin Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lead Levels

scholarly journals Proximity of residence to an old mineral storage site in Chile and blood lead levels in children

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Loreto Lisboa ◽  
José Klarián ◽  
Rosario Toro Campos ◽  
Verónica Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
Lead Level ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exposure Variable ◽  
Lead Levels

Evidence suggests that an old mineral storage site removed in 1998 due to high lead content, remains as a source of exposure in the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The aim was to determine the association between blood lead levels in children and the residential proximity to the old mineral storage site. A cross sectional study was conducted with 185 children aged 7 to 16 years. The outcome variable was blood lead levels measured in 2005. The exposure variable was the distance between the current residence and the old mineral storage site. The distance was measured in meters by Geographic Information System (GIS). The median blood lead level in 2005 was 3.3μg/dL (interquartile range ‒ IQR: 2.0-4.3). A significant inverse association was found between the residential distance to the old mineral storage site and the blood lead levels in children, after adjusting by confounders (β: -0.04; 95%CI: -0.09; -0.01). This result suggests that the old mineral storage site continues to be a source of lead exposure for the children living nearby.

Determinants of blood lead levels in children: A cross-sectional study in the Canary Islands (Spain)

2012 ◽  
Vol 215 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Bas ◽  
Octavio P. Luzardo ◽  
Luis Peña-Quintana ◽  
Juan E. González ◽  
Juan A. Peña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Canary Islands ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lead Levels

scholarly journals Accuracy of lead risk assessment questionnaire in predicting elevated blood lead levels in children

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 972
Author(s):  
Kanimozhi Sadasivam ◽  
Balaji Chinnasami ◽  
Apurva Hariharan ◽  
Balaji Ramraj ◽  
Rahul Saravanan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Lead Toxicity ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Blood Lead Levels ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lead Levels ◽  
Assessment Questionnaire

Background: Lead toxicity in children is a serious problem affecting their neurodevelopment. Although CDC mandates screening for lead toxicity regularly in children, India doesn’t have any lead related public health program in place. In resource limited India a prescreening lead risk assessment questionnaire will be more economical than universal screening for blood lead levels (BLL). Authors aim to evaluate the accuracy of a validated modified CDC lead risk assessment questionnaire in predicting elevated BLL.Methods: Authors conducted an explorative cross-sectional study from July to August 2017 in 340 children aged 6 months to 6 years. A standardized self-administered questionnaire modified from CDC lead risk assessment questionnaire was administered in the children. Also, BLL were measured in all study subjects using lead care II analyser. Data from questionnaire were compared with BLL to test the accuracy of questionnaire.Results: Blood lead levels was high (>5ug/dl) in 57.9% of study subjects especially in children between 24-35 months. Employment in battery manufacturing companies (P=0.0001), usage of cosmetics (P=0.019), parental smoking history (P=0.001), involvement in painting, arts (P=0.0001) and malnourished children (P=0.018) were the risk factors associated with undesirable BLL. The modified questionnaire had a sensitivity of 87.9% and specificity of 66.7% for detecting elevated BLL.Conclusions: The modified CDC lead risk assessment questionnaire is a sensitive tool in identifying high risk cases of lead toxicity in children.

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