An epidemiologic survey on blood lead levels in preschool children living in towns of Hunan Province / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate blood lead levels (BLLs) and influencing factors of BLLs among preschool children living in towns of Hunan Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2 044 preschool children (1,108 boys and 936 girls) from towns of 12 regions in Hunan Province were enrolled by a cluster sampling between September 2008 and June 2009. The average age of the children was 4.4 ± 1.1 years (range 2 to 6 years). BLLs were determined using the atomic absorption spectrographic method. The influencing factors of BLLs were investigated using a standard questionnaire and logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean BLLs of the children were 81.9 ± 34.5 μg/L. BLLs more than 100 μg/ L were noted in 482 children (23.58%). Of the 482 children, 472 (23.09%) showed BLLs of 100-199 μg/L and 10 (0.49%) showed BLLs ≥ 200 μg/L. There were significant differences in the prevalence of elevated BLLs (≥ 100 μg/L) among different age groups (P < 0.01). The prevalence of elevated BLLs in boys (28.99%) was significantly higher than that in girls (21.98%) (P < 0.01). There were significant differences in the prevalence of elevated BLLs in children from different regions (P < 0.01). The logistic regression analysis showed that the male (OR = 1.449, P < 0.01), father's occupational lead exposure (OR = 1.314, P < 0.01)and maternal frequent use of hair dyes (OR = 1.678, P < 0.05) were risk factor for elevated BLLs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of elevated BLLs is higher in preschool children living in towns of Hunan Province and is associated with a child's region and age. The male, father's occupational lead exposure and maternal frequent use of hair dyes are risk factor for elevated BLLs.</p>

A case-control study on the risk factors for inguinal hernia in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Inguinal hernia is a common birth defect in children, but there is limited information about the risk factors for this disorder. The study aimed to explore the risk factors for the development of this disorder in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A frequency matching case-control study based on hospital group data was performed. One hundred and thirty-two 0-6 years old children with inguinal hernia and 132 aged-matched controls were enrolled. Children's general characteristics and their mothers' general characteristics before and during pregnancy were obtained by a questionnaire survey. Risk factors for inguinal hernia were investigated by logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the development of inguinal hernia was related to children's cry and unease records (OR=3.70195%CI1.724-7.945), maternal consumption for pickles (OR=2.53495%CI: 1.279-5.021) and maternal anemia (OR=3.76195%CI1.497-9.450) one year before pregnancy and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and the family history of inguinal hernia (OR=13.50595%CI5.825-31.307).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Children's cry and unease records, maternal anemia and pickle consumption one year before pregnancy and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, and family history of inguinal hernia are risk factors for the development of inguinal hernia in children.</p>

Association between environmental risk factor exposure in the first trimester and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate: a case-control study / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the environmental risk factors during the first trimester responsible for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate to collect data for prevention of this congenital defect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A hospital-based case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors by means of field investigation with standardized questionnaires. Single factor analysis and logistic regression of the data are performed using SPSS 13.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Multifactorial analysis revealed that folic acid was significantly associated with lowered incidence of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (OR=0.100, 95%CI: 0.032-0.312), whereas maternal infection (OR=4.155, 95%CI: 2.166-7.970), poisonous chemical exposure (OR=6.816, 95%CI: 2.528-18.381) and emotional stress (OR=3.250, 95%CI: 1.477-7.154) were risk factors for this defect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Sufficient follic acid intake and prevention of infection and poisonous chemical exposure during the first trimester are measures to reduce the risks of nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate.</p>