Increased erythrocyte protoporphyrins and blood lead - a pilot study of childhood growth patterns

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15287398909531241· OSTI ID:7150230

Angle, C R; Kuntzelman, D R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Nebraska, Omaha (USA)

The National Health and Nutrition Survey 1976-1980 demonstrated the inverse association of blood lead 8-35 {mu}g/dl (0.4-1.7 {mu}M) with height and weight in 2680 children 1-7 yr old. Growth has not been examined. A retrospective pilot study was made of growth, 0-42 mo, for 54 children found to have erythrocyte protoporphyrins >35 {mu}g/dl (0.6 mM) at 12-23 mo. For 24/54, all blood leads were <30 {mu}g/dl (1.2 {mu}M), with a peak annual mean of 18.5 {mu}g/dl (0.9 {mu}M); for 30/54, mean blood lead was 46.7 {mu}/dl (2.2 {mu}M) at 12-23 mo with all subsequent blood leads {ge}30 {mu}g/dl (1.2 {mu}M). In both groups the mean height and weight at birth were at the 25th percentile. The high-lead children had increased weight velocity at 15 mo of age and were heavier at 24 mo. Weight gain related to total caloric intake, supporting food consumption, and hand-to-mouth behavior as significant factors in an increased blood lead ages 9-24 mo. The monthly directional change of height and weight percentiles after 24 mo, however, showed a decreased frequency of upward shifts when blood lead was {ge}30 {mu}g/dl. Although an early high food intake appears to contribute to high blood lead by increasing the intake of lead from food and mouthing, persistent increases in the high blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrins were associated with subsequent growth retardation.

• OSTI ID: 7150230
• Journal Information: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health; (USA), Vol. 26:2; ISSN 0098-4108
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CHILDREN
GROWTH
LEAD
TOXICITY
BEHAVIOR
DIET
ERYTHROCYTES
INHIBITION
PROTOPORPHYRINS
WEIGHT
AGE GROUPS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ELEMENTS
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METALS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PIGMENTS
PORPHYRINS
560300* - Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology