Environmental lead exposure and its correlation with intelligence quotient level in children. 2022

Pushkar Singh Rawat, and Shalini Singh, and Abbas Ali Mahdi, and Sudhir Mehrotra
Department of Biochemistry, University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India. Electronic address: pushkars93@gmail.com.

BACKGROUND Lead (Pb) is ubiquitous, naturally occurring heavy metal that has a neurotoxic effect on the CNS and causes a range of health problems in humans, including cognitive impairment. Its toxicity remains a worldwide health issue, especially in developing countries. In this study, we tend to investigate the relationship between Pb poisoning and sociodemographic status, intellectual and neurobehavioral capabilities of children. METHODS The background characteristics of the research subjects were collected via questionnaire. The study involved 43 children, aged from 4 to 12 years. Blood lead (BL) levels were analysed by using anodic stripping voltammeter (ASV). Intelligence quotient (IQ) was another parameter that was assessed via using the Goodenough draw-A-person test in Pb exposed as well as control children. Although sociodemographic information was obtained in a questionnaire pattern from the parents. RESULTS The mean of BL level was 19.93 ± 9.22 μg/dL. BL levels were considerably higher with low social status (p < 0.05), maternal employment (p < 0.001) and the maximum time spent outdoors (p < 0.001). Source of water, age of subjects, type of house and kohl used by children was observed to be significantly correlated with BL levels i.e. (p < 0.05). IQ levels were decreased in a concentration dependent manner (p < 0.01). Negative correlations were found between BL levels and IQ levels (r = -0.963, <0.01). Girls were found to be higher IQ level than boys (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher socioeconomic status had a higher IQ level (p < 0.01) as compared to low. CONCLUSIONS BL levels were significantly associated with IQ levels. Sociodemographic characteristic was also found to be one of the risk factors that influenced the BL levels of children. Our investigations have demonstrated that the exposure of Pb severely affected the learning with memory, and the intelligence quotient of children, that is found inversely proportional in respect to BL levels.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007360 Intelligence The ability to learn and to deal with new situations and to deal effectively with tasks involving abstractions.
D007361 Intelligence Tests Standardized tests that measure the present general ability or aptitude for intellectual performance. Mental Tests,Raven Test,Raven's Progressive Matrices,Intelligence Test,Mental Test,Raven Progressive Matrices,Ravens Progressive Matrices,Test, Intelligence,Test, Mental,Test, Raven
D007854 Lead A soft, grayish metal with poisonous salts; atomic number 82, atomic weight 207.2, symbol Pb.
D007855 Lead Poisoning Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of LEAD or lead compounds. Poisoning, Lead,Lead Poisonings,Poisonings, Lead
D008297 Male Males
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D004781 Environmental Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals. Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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