title: Blood lead concentrations in 1-3 year old Lebanese children: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Childhood lead poisoning has not made the list of national public health priorities in Lebanon. This study aims at identifying the prevalence and risk factors for elevated blood lead concentrations (B-Pb >or= 100 microg/L) among 1-3 year old children. It also examines the need for universal blood lead screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of 281 well children, presenting to the pediatric ambulatory services at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in 1997-98. Blood was drawn on participating children for lead analysis and a structured questionnaire was introduced to mothers asking about social, demographic, and residence characteristics, as well as potential risk factors for lead exposure. Children with B-Pb >or= 100 microg/L were compared to those with B-Pb < 100 microg/L.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean B-Pb was 66.0 microg/L (median 60.0; range 10-160; standard deviation 26.3) with 39 (14%) children with B-Pb >or= 100 microg/L. Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated B-Pb was associated with paternal manual jobs (odds ratio [OR]: 4.74), residence being located in high traffic areas (OR: 4.59), summer season (OR: 4.39), using hot tap water for cooking (OR: 3.96), exposure to kohl (OR: 2.40), and living in older buildings (OR: 2.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead screening should be offered to high-risk children. With the recent ban of leaded gasoline in Lebanon, emphasis should shift to other sources of exposure in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. nuwayhid@aub.edu.lb
authors.forename: Iman
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nuwayhid
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabulsi
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muwakkit
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kouzi
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikati
authors.forename: Majd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ariss
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010372:Pediatrics; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007854:Lead