Outbreak investigation of lead neurotoxicity in children from artificial jewelry cottage industry
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
;
: 30-30, 2019.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-777611
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Although lead neurotoxicity is a known phenomenon, it can often be missed at a primary or secondary care level especially if detailed environmental exposure history is missed.@*METHODS@#This is an outbreak investigation where we observed 15 pediatric cases with neurologic signs and symptoms clustered in a slum area known for an unorganized artificial jewelry industry. Their clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological features were compared with 14 other children from the same region reporting with non-neurological symptoms who were considered as unmatched controls.@*RESULTS@#Cases with neurological manifestations had a higher in-house lead smelting activity [OR 7.2 (95% CI 1.4-38.3)] as compared to controls. Toddlers below 3 years of age were more vulnerable to the effects of lead.@*CONCLUSION@#This study emphasizes that many focal sources of lead poisoning still remain especially in the unorganized sector. In cases presenting with unexplained neurotoxicity, specific occupational and environmental inquiry for chemical poisoning, with special consideration for lead, should be actively pursued.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pathology
/
Poisoning
/
Reference Standards
/
Blood
/
Poverty Areas
/
Case-Control Studies
/
Epidemiology
/
Disease Outbreaks
/
Risk Factors
/
Air Pollution, Indoor
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
Year:
2019
Type:
Article
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