Plasma lead and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin in neonates and young children in Kuwait.
Blood samples from a series of 797 nonselected Kuwaiti Bedouin infants less than 5 years old were analyzed for lead (Pb) and zinc protoporphyrin (Zpp). Elevated blood Pb concentration (greater than 25 micrograms/dl), which may indicate Pb poisoning, was found in 53 cases (6.8%). These children had a mean blood Pb concentration of 47.1 +/- 15.9 micrograms/dl. The correlation coefficient between the concentration of Pb and Zpp in the blood was r = 0.78, p less than 0.001. The results indicated that Pb intoxication in neonates and children may be a significant health problem in Kuwait, and that measurement of blood Zpp can be used as a simple, rapid, and inexpensive microscreening method for Pb poisoning in infants and neonates.
Farsakh
F A
FA
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Kuwait.
Al-Khalily
A S
AS
Mameesh
M S
MS
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007730:Kuwait; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*
D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; C017803:zinc protoporphyrin; D007854:Lead