Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lactating children are specially susceptible to lead toxicity due to their underdeveloped nervous system, lower body mass, higher intestinal absorption and lower elimination rates. AIM: To determine the effects of lead exposure, comparing Chilean lactating children residing in rural areas with low lead exposure, and in urban areas with high lead exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Newborns from public maternity hospitals of the rural locality of San Felipe and from Metropolitan Santiago, were recruited for the study. On admission to the study, umbilical cord and maternal blood samples were obtained and an inquiry about perinatal, sociohereditary and lead exposure history was done. Children were followed every 6 months until 24 months of age, measuring blood parameters and neurobehavioral development using Bayley scales. RESULTS: Three hundred twelve children from Santiago and 113 from San Felipe were studied. Maternal and children blood lead levels were higher in Santiago, but lower than those reported in other international studies. At 24 months of age, 4.5% of children from Santiago and 0.7% of children from San Felipe had levels over 10 micrograms/dl. No differences in neurobehavioral development were observed between children of both cities. At 24 months, scores of MDI scales were 91 in Santiago and 97 in San Felipe. The figures for PDI scale were 93 in Santiago and 93 in San Felipe. Main risk factors for a retarded neurobehavioral development were socieconomic level with a mean Odds ratio of 3.5 (0.99-12.4), male sex with an Odds ratio of 2.3 (1.09-5.07) and stimulation at home with an Odds ratio of 0.7 (0.53-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of children, no effect of lead levels on neurobehavioral development was found.