The adverse effect of marginally higher lead level on intelligence development of children: a Shanghai study.

Full Abstract

We surveyed 128 preschool children in a lead-polluted area in Shanghai to study the relationship between blood lead level and neuropsychological functions, assessed by age-appropriate psychological tests. The geometric means of blood lead level was 21.7 + -10.8 micrograms/dl. Of 47 children aged below 30 months, there was no significant difference in BSID indices between the high and low lead subjects, although the high lead children tended to have poorer development scores than the low lead ones. On the other hand, of 81 children older than 46 months, the WPPSI IQ scores showed highly significant negative correlation with blood lead level. Step-wise regression and multiple analysis of covariance techniques were employed to find out and control the confounding factors. Even when 21 non-lead variables were considered, the IQ difference between high and low lead groups remained statistically significant. We concluded that the children, especially those older than 46 months, in the area investigated, did suffer from lead toxicity causing impairment in intelligence development. We support the view that marginally higher lead level in children should be taken seriously.

Author information

Author/s: Shen, X M (XM); Guo, D (D); Xu, J D (JD); Wang, M X (MX); Tao, S D (SD); Zhou, J D (JD); Gao, X I (XI); Lou, H Q (HQ);

Affiliation: Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, China.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Indian journal of pediatrics (Indian J Pediatr), published in INDIA. (Language: eng)

Reference: -1992 Mar-Apr; vol 59 (issue 2) : pp 233-8

Dates: Created 1992/11/05; Completed 1992/11/05; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 1383144, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.