Blood lead levels and serum iron in hypochromic microcytic anemia in Egyptian children

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on one hundred children suffering from hypochromic microcytic anemia after exclusion of thalassemic trait [A 2 >3.4%] and evaluation of serum iron and blood lead levels as an etiological factor. Twenty matched control children are included. According to serum iron and TIBC of our patients have iron deficiency anemia. And according to blood lead levels 59% of our patients have blood lead levels above the upper limit of Center For Disease Control [CDC] in 1985 [25 Ug/dl] and 91% of our patients have blood lead levels above the upper limit of CDC, in 1991 [10 Ug/dl]. Also we concluded that elevation of blood lead is more common in the children who exhibit pica and whose parent's are exposed to lead in their jobs, and whose mothers use newspapers and magazines in kitchen and in low socioeconomic group. Elevated blood lead is common in Urban children while iron deficiency is common in rural children. The blood lead is higher among school age than preschool age. According to blood lead levels, serum iron and TIBC we grouped our patients into 43% have both iron deficiency and high blood lead levels. 27% have iron deficiency. 16% have high blood lead levels. 14% need further investigation to detect the cause of hypochromic anemia