Relation between anemia and blood levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron among children.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a health problem among infants and children. It is often associated with a decrease in some trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) and an increase in heavy metals as lead. This study was done to determine the association of blood lead level > 10 mug/dl, with the increased risk to anemia, also, to investigate the relationship between anemia and changes in blood iron, zinc and copper levels, and measure lead level in drinking water.The study is a cross-sectional performed on 60 children. Venous blood samples were taken from the studied population for estimating hematological parameters as well as iron and ferritin levels. The concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead were measured. The studied population was divided into anemic and non-anemic (control) groups. The anemic group was further classified into mild, moderate and severe anemia. The study subjects were also categorized into low and high blood lead level groups. FINDINGS: Approximately 63.33% of children had blood lead levels >/= 10 mug/dl. At the blood lead level range of 10-20 mug/dl, a significant association was found for mild and severe anemia. The blood level of iron and ferritin was found to be significantly lower in high blood lead level and anemic groups than those of the low blood lead level and control groups. Lead level in drinking water was higher than the permissible limit. CONCLUSION: Lead level >/= 10 mug/dl was significantly associated with anemia, decreased iron absorption and hematological parameters affection. High blood lead levels were associated with low serum iron and ferritin. Lead level in drinking water was found to be higher than the permissible limits.

CD64 cell surface expression on neutrophils for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis (NS) continues to be one of the most significant causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Early identification of Neonatal sepsis is a major diagnostic problem because of the nonspecific clinical signs and limitations of the current diagnostic procedures. Neutrophil CD64 expression has been proposed as a diagnostic test for evaluation of infection and sepsis. We compared the diagnostic utility of neutrophil CD64 expression with IL-6, IL-8, TNFalpha and CRP assays. Peripheral blood samples were taken from 25 neonates classified into two groups; proven NS (n = 15), clinical NS (n = 10) and healthy newborns (n = 10). CD64 expression was analysed by flowcytometry, while serum level of interleukins (IL-6, IL-8), and TNFalpha was determined by ELISA. Expression of CD64 was significantly enhanced in the groups with proven sepsis and clinical NS as compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Similary, TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8 and CRP levels were significantly elevated in the groups with sepsis and clinical NS as compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Our data indicate that, in addition to serum levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-8), and TNFalpha, expression of CD64 on neutrophils by flowcytometry could be useful as an indicator of NS due to its early appearance, sensitivity and specificity (96%). In conclusion, neutrophil expression of CD64 is a useful diagnostic tool for early detection of neonatal sepsis. The assay is rapid, easy and reliable.