PILOT STUDY FOR DETERMINATION OF BLOOD LEAD LEVELS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
Journal Title: International Research Journal of Pharmacy (IRJP) - Year 2015, Vol 6, Issue 3
Abstract
Exposure to lead can damage the nervous, hematopoietic, and renal systems and is particularly harmful to the developing nervous systems of fetuses and children. Most children who have elevated blood lead levels do not have any symptoms. When symptoms, such as stomach ache, poor appetite, and irritability appear they are often confused with other childhood illnesses. The present study was initiated as a national pilot study in Libya to determine the blood lead concentration in primary school children in Tripoli. A total number of 379 children (198 males and 181 females) aged 6-8 years were included in the study. A venous blood sample was collected from each child in EDTA blood tubes and then the levels of lead in whole blood were determined spectrophotometry by graphite electro thermal atomic absorption. The results showed that 213out of 379 tested children (56 %) of the children have a BLLs ≤ 10 µg/dl and 166 children (43.79 %) have high BLLs (> 10 µg/dl); with males representing 51 % (n = 85) and females 49 % (n = 81). 61 of children (16 %) have BLLs between 10-14 µg/dl from which 8.4 % was infected males and 7.79 % was infected females The results also illustrated that 48 out of total 379 children (12.66 %) have a BLLs between 20-44 µg/dl. Interestingly this percentage was equally divided between both genders (6.33 % each). Finally, four out of 379 tested children have BLLs above 45 µg/dl (1.06 %). Our results drawn to the conclusion those BLLs were elevated above the safe level in about 44 % of the tested children. Such children should be evaluated and treated in accordance with CDC guidelines for follow-up care, including care coordination and public health, medical and environmental management. The child will need regular medical follow-up and re-testing to see if the level of lead has lowered
Authors and Affiliations
Mahmud Arhima, Ramadan Elmozogi, Salah Suliman, Aisha Edrah, Abdurrauf Gusbi, Abdurrahim Elouzi, Ebtisam Benomran, Ebtesam Beshana, Mokhtar Gusbi
Keywords
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- EP ID EP163610
- DOI 10.7897/2230-8407.06339
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