| A Study on Blood Lead Levels in Pediatric Inpatients |
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Young Ho Lee, Hyoung Shim Chang, Bong Keun Choi, Kyu Geun Hwang, Ahn Hong Choi |
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Department of Pediatrics, Dong-A University College of Medicine, Pusan, Korea |
| 소아 입원환자의 혈중 납 농도에 관한 연구 |
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이영호, 장형심, 최봉근, 황규근, 최안홍 |
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동아대학교 의과대학 소아과학교실 |
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| Abstract |
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Lead is one of the most widespredad environmental toxins and its poisoning in children was considered a rarity, usually resulting from unique circumstances such as inappropriate use of lead-based body cosmetics or direct administration of lead-containing folk medicines. The increasing concern about children with lower levels of lead exposure has developed, but there are no data regarding the mean blood lead levels and the incidence of symptomatic or asymptomatic lead poisoning in Korean children.
We analyzed the zinc protoporphyrine (ZPP) values and blood lead concentrations in 163 pediatric inpatients for a prospective study of lead exposure.
The blood lead concentrations in all 163 children were 15~54ug/dl, of whom 111 children (68.1%) were 25~54ug/dl which needs decision to chelate based on the EDTA provocation test. Among 111 children whose blood lead concentrations are 25~54ug/dl, 59 children(53.2%) were between 7 months and 3 years of age, which revealed no significant higher incidence of lead exposure than any other age group. The ZPP values in 126 children (77.3%) were above 35 ug/dl. The mean blood lead concentration and ZPP values are 27.8ug/dl and 48.8ug/dl, respectively.
We conclude that there are many asymptomatic children with increased absorption of lead in the urban area of Korea, and we need further studies regarding lead poisoning. It is important that there must be a national counterplan and that pediatricians continue to pay attention to lead posioning in children. |
| Key Words:
Blood lead level, Children |
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