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Zinc protoporphyrin levels, blood lead levels and neurocognitive deficits in Andean children with chronic lead exposure.
Clin Biochem. 2008 Jan; 41(1-2):41-7.CB

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels and performance on a test of auditory memory in Andean children and adolescents with chronic lead (Pb) exposure.

DESIGN AND METHODS

PbB and ZPP levels were measured in blood samples from 166 participants (aged 6-16 yrs.) exposed to Pb in a local ceramic glazing cottage industry in Ecuadorian villages. PbB levels and ZPP/heme ratios were analyzed in relation to performance on the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler IV intelligence scale, a test of auditory memory.

RESULTS

Mean PbB level for the study group was 18.0 microg/dL (S.D.: 15.1; range: 3.0-86.0), and the mean ZPP/heme ratio was 105.7 mumol/mol (S.D.: 100.9; range: 36.0-592.0). There was no significant difference in PbB and ZPP levels between the 84 females and the 82 males. The mean Digit Span scale score (DS SS) for the study group was 6.81 (S.D.: 2.95; range: 1.0-17.0), which is below the average score of 10 for the test, with the females performing significantly better than males (t=2.435; p=0.01). Regression analyses revealed statistically significant inverse associations between DS SS and PbB level (r=0.251, p=0.001), and between DS SS and ZPP/heme ratio (r=0.246, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

Elevated PbB levels, representing acute exposure, and ZPP levels, reflecting chronic Pb exposure in this cohort of Andean inhabitants were associated with poor performance on a test of auditory memory, suggesting that the children and adolescents in the study area have neurocognitive deficits that may affect learning.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Counter SA
Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School/The Biological Laboratories, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. allen_Counter@harvard.edu
Buchanan LH
No affiliation info available
Ortega F
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdolescentCase-Control StudiesChildCognitionCognition DisordersEcuadorEnvironmental ExposureFemaleHemeHumansLeadLead Poisoning, Nervous System, ChildhoodMaleProtoporphyrinsTime Factors

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

18035344

Citation

Counter, S Allen, et al. "Zinc Protoporphyrin Levels, Blood Lead Levels and Neurocognitive Deficits in Andean Children With Chronic Lead Exposure." Clinical Biochemistry, vol. 41, no. 1-2, 2008, pp. 41-7.
Counter SA, Buchanan LH, Ortega F. Zinc protoporphyrin levels, blood lead levels and neurocognitive deficits in Andean children with chronic lead exposure. Clin Biochem. 2008;41(1-2):41-7.
Counter, S. A., Buchanan, L. H., & Ortega, F. (2008). Zinc protoporphyrin levels, blood lead levels and neurocognitive deficits in Andean children with chronic lead exposure. Clinical Biochemistry, 41(1-2), 41-7.
Counter SA, Buchanan LH, Ortega F. Zinc Protoporphyrin Levels, Blood Lead Levels and Neurocognitive Deficits in Andean Children With Chronic Lead Exposure. Clin Biochem. 2008;41(1-2):41-7. PubMed PMID: 18035344.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Zinc protoporphyrin levels, blood lead levels and neurocognitive deficits in Andean children with chronic lead exposure. AU - Counter,S Allen, AU - Buchanan,Leo H, AU - Ortega,Fernando, Y1 - 2007/10/11/ PY - 2007/07/05/received PY - 2007/09/26/revised PY - 2007/10/03/accepted PY - 2007/11/24/pubmed PY - 2008/3/21/medline PY - 2007/11/24/entrez SP - 41 EP - 7 JF - Clinical biochemistry JO - Clin Biochem VL - 41 IS - 1-2 N2 - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between blood lead (PbB), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels and performance on a test of auditory memory in Andean children and adolescents with chronic lead (Pb) exposure. DESIGN AND METHODS: PbB and ZPP levels were measured in blood samples from 166 participants (aged 6-16 yrs.) exposed to Pb in a local ceramic glazing cottage industry in Ecuadorian villages. PbB levels and ZPP/heme ratios were analyzed in relation to performance on the Digit Span subtest of the Wechsler IV intelligence scale, a test of auditory memory. RESULTS: Mean PbB level for the study group was 18.0 microg/dL (S.D.: 15.1; range: 3.0-86.0), and the mean ZPP/heme ratio was 105.7 mumol/mol (S.D.: 100.9; range: 36.0-592.0). There was no significant difference in PbB and ZPP levels between the 84 females and the 82 males. The mean Digit Span scale score (DS SS) for the study group was 6.81 (S.D.: 2.95; range: 1.0-17.0), which is below the average score of 10 for the test, with the females performing significantly better than males (t=2.435; p=0.01). Regression analyses revealed statistically significant inverse associations between DS SS and PbB level (r=0.251, p=0.001), and between DS SS and ZPP/heme ratio (r=0.246, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Elevated PbB levels, representing acute exposure, and ZPP levels, reflecting chronic Pb exposure in this cohort of Andean inhabitants were associated with poor performance on a test of auditory memory, suggesting that the children and adolescents in the study area have neurocognitive deficits that may affect learning. SN - 0009-9120 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/18035344/Zinc_protoporphyrin_levels_blood_lead_levels_and_neurocognitive_deficits_in_Andean_children_with_chronic_lead_exposure_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -