Lead exposure and attention regulation in children living in poverty.
This study examined the relationship between lead exposure and attention regulation in children from low-income families. Children with lead exposure were expected to have lower attention regulation abilities than children who were not exposed. The 57 participants (39% male, 61% female) were children aged 4 and 5 years (mean age 4y 7mo [SD 5mo]); 24 children were lead-exposed (10-29microg/dl) and 33 were non-exposed comparisons (1-6microg/dl). Both groups qualified to be enrolled in programs for low-income families. A puzzle-matching task was completed in parent-child and child-alone conditions. Attention allocation and puzzle-matching performance were assessed in the two conditions. Children who were lead-exposed demonstrated less self-regulated attention than comparisons and had poorer puzzle performance in the child-alone condition. Attention patterns did not differ in the parent-child condition. This study extends previous knowledge concerning effects of lead exposure on preschool children from disadvantaged environments and suggests that lead exposure affects specific attention regulation abilities.
Davis
Deborah Winders
DW
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. dwdavis@louisville.edu
Chang
Florence
F
Burns
Barbara
B
Robinson
Julia
J
Dossett
Dena
D
D001288:Attention; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D007854:Lead