Pennington AF, Smith MR, Chuke SO, Cornwell CR, Allwood PB, Courtney JG. Effects of Blood Lead Levels <10 µg/dL in School-Age Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review.
Pediatrics 2024;
154:e2024067808F. [PMID:
39352036 DOI:
10.1542/peds.2024-067808f]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 10/03/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT
Lead exposures among school-age children are a major public health issue. Although the harmful effects of lead exposure during the first years of life are well known, there is not as much understanding of the effects of low levels of lead exposure during later childhood.
OBJECTIVES
To review the effects of blood lead levels (BLLs) <10 µg/dL in school-age children and adolescents.
DATA SOURCES
We searched Medline, Embase, Global health, CINAHL, Scopus, and Environmental Science Collection databases between January 1, 2000, and May 11, 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
We included peer-reviewed English-language articles that presented data on the effects of BLLs <10 µg/dL in individuals ages 5 through 18 years.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data on country, population, analytic design, sample size, age, BLLs, outcomes, covariates, and results were extracted.
RESULTS
Overall, 115 of 3180 screened articles met the inclusion criteria. The reported mean or median BLL was <5 µg/dL in 98 articles (85%). Of the included articles, 89 (77%) presented some evidence of an association between BLLs <10 µg/dL during school age and detrimental outcomes in a wide range of categories. The strongest evidence of an association was for the outcomes of intelligence quotient and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnoses or behaviors.
LIMITATIONS
Few articles controlled for BLLs at age <5 years, limiting conclusions about the relation between later BLLs and outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
BLLs <10 µg/dL in school-age children and adolescents may be associated with negative outcomes. This review highlights areas that could benefit from additional investigation.
Collapse