Prevalence of Elevated Blood Lead Levels and Factors Contributing to the Risk of Lead Poisoning among 1-5-year-old Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Lead is a well-documented potent environmental toxin that has various harmful effects on the body, growth, and development noticed since, birth. Despite notable advancements in the decrease of lead exposure, researchers found environmental, socioeconomic, and demographic factors associated with elevated blood lead levels in children in Chennai, India, aged 1-5 years. This underscores the necessity for additional research on correlated risk factors. Aim: To assess the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in children and estimate its values while identifying potential sources of lead exposure to the children. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional analytical research was conducted at SRM Medical College, Hospital, and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India from July 2019 to July 2022. A total of 92 children aged 1-5 years attending the Paediatric Outpatient Department (OPD) and inpatients at the same hospital were included in the study. This study was conducted to examine the impact of lead exposure on children aged one to five years by using a lead exposure risk assessment questionnaire by World Health Organisation (WHO). Blood lead levels were measured using Lead Care II analyser equipment and lead care blood lead testing kits. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were applied to statistically analyse the data. Results: The majority, 48 (52.17%), were boys, while 44 (47.83%) were girls. The study found that 8 (8.7%) out of all the children had lead toxicity. Thumb sucking was associated with higher lead toxicity, while frequent waste material combustion was linked to higher lead toxicity. Other risk factors like age, gender, residence conditions, recent renovations, and exposure to smoke or dust were not significantly associated with increased blood lead levels. Food prepared in metal vessels, water sources, canned food, traffic near home, imported food, cosmetics, home remedies usage, and parental education status were not significantly associated with increased blood lead levels. Conclusion: Among the study population of 92 children, the prevalence of lead toxicity (>5 μg/dL) was found in 8 (8.7%) children. The results of present study point towards a significant association of lead toxicity in children with thumb sucking and combustion of waste material in surroundings. To fully understand lead exposure in primary and secondary care settings, greater sample sizes and additional research on confounding factors are required.

Keywords

• growth and development
• lead exposure
• lead toxicity
• thumb sucking
• waste material combustion