Lead exposure and the state of serum immunoglobulins in school age children

ABSTRACT

The present study included 100 children [52 from urban area and 48 from rural area] at age range from 5 to 12 years. Each child was subjected to clinical examination, arthropometric measurements and complete history of life style characteristics as regard to using cosmetics, canned food and pica. Complete blood pictures and blood analysis were done to determine the level of hemoglobin [Hb], free erythrocyte protoporphyrin [FEP] and lead. The mean blood lead level was 12.2 +/- 9.5 mug/dl and the mean FEP level was 32.9 +/- 16.6 mug/dl. There was no significant effect of the life style of the children on level of lead, FEP or Hb. There was no significant difference on the level of lead, FEP and Hb between urban and rural areas. Lead level and FEP were higher in anemic children [25% of children] in relation to non anemic children [75%]. As regard to immunoglobulins level, there was no significant effect of the blood lead, FEP or Hb on the 3 immunoglobulins [IgA, IgG, IgM], this do not deny the impact of lead poisoning on immune state of the children. Many other criteria for immune status might be more sensitive than immunoglobulins level to the presence of lead in blood. This should be considered for future plane for screening of lead exposure