[Blood lead in a population of children with iron deficiency].
BACKGROUND
Analysis of blood lead levels in relation to the state of iron metabolism was carried out in children.


METHODS
A transversal study of blood lead levels was designed in 89 iron deficient children (serum ferritin < 15 micrograms/l) (group F). Fifty seven of the children did not have anemia (sub-group FS) and 32 had anemia (sub-group AF) with ages ranging between 6 months and 14 years, and 41 children of the same age with normal iron metabolism (group C). A longitudinal study was also carried out by the determination of blood lead levels prior and after iron therapy in 18 of the iron deficient children.


RESULTS
A significant difference was seen between the mean of blood lead levels in iron deficient children (group F), 9.41 micrograms/dl and normal children (group C), 6.88 micrograms/dl (p < 0.01). The mean of blood lead levels of the sub-group FS was 7.79 micrograms/dl and the sub-group AF, 12.30 micrograms/dl (p < 0.01). The prevalence of lead poisoning (blood lead levels > 20 micrograms/dl) was 8% in group F (2% in sub-group FS, 19% in sub-group AF) and 0 in group C (p < 0.01). A significant decrease was found in the longitudinal study in the mean of blood lead levels following iron therapy from 14.12 micrograms/dl to 7.51 micrograms/dl (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The iron deficient state may constitute a predisposing factor of lead poisoning in childhood.
Redondo Granado
M J
MJ
Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario, Valladolid.
Alvarez Guisasola
F J
FJ
Blanco Quirós
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015995:Prevalence
D007854:Lead
Estudio de la plumbemia en la población infantil con ferropenia.