Lead exposure and child behavior.
OBJECTIVE
Unlike cognitive impairments associated with lead exposure, lead-associated child behavior problems have been difficult to specify, particularly in young children.


METHODS
The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used as the outcome and confounding variables, respectively, of major interest. These measures were examined with respect to blood lead levels of 201 African-American children aged 2 through 5 years.


RESULTS
In comparison with the low exposed group, the high exposed group (two consecutive blood lead levels greater than or equal to 15 micrograms/dL) had a significantly higher mean CBCL Total Behavior Problem Score (TBPS) and Internalizing and Externalizing scores; when other factors, including maternal depressive symptomatology, were controlled for, regression procedures indicated a .18-point TBPS increase for each unit increase in lead and a 5.1-point higher TBPS in the high exposed group; children in this group were 2.7 times more likely to have a TBPS in the clinical range.


CONCLUSIONS
Through its use of a standardized parent-report measure of behavior and its consideration of maternal morale in multiple linear and logistic regression procedures, this study provides further evidence of lead's detrimental effect on child behavior at levels typical of present-day exposure.
Sciarillo
W G
WG
Children's Medical Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore, Md.
Alexander
G
G
Farrell
K P
KP
D000047:Academies and Institutes; D001741:Black or African American; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009790:Occupations; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D007854:Lead