title: Clinical and biochemical parameters of children and adolescents applying pesticides.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary agricultural product in Egypt is the cotton crop. Children and adolescents work seasonally in the cotton fields applying pesticides.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of pesticide exposure on clinical and biochemical parameters in children and adolescents applying pesticides.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male children currently applying pesticides and aged between 9 and 19 years (n = 50) were recruited for this study. They were asked to complete work, health, and exposure questionnaires; examined for any medical and neurological problems with particular attention to sensory and motor functions including cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. From each participant, a blood sample was taken to measure acetylcholinesterase activity, and liver and kidney functions. Children who have never worked in agriculture (n = 50), matched on age, education, and socioeconomic status were also studied and served as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More neuromuscular disorders were identified in pesticide applicators than controls. A significant lower level of acetylcholinesterase was found in the applicator group compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in hematological, renal and hepatic indices in the exposed children compared to the control children. Working more days in the current season and also working more years as a pesticide applicator were both associated with an increase in the prevalence of neuromuscular abnormalities and significant changes in the laboratory tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children and adolescent pesticide applicators working in farms of Egypt are at risk of developing serious health problems similar to those of adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Minoufia University, Shebin Elkom, Egypt. aa-ismail@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rohlman
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Abdel Rasoul
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Abou Salem
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Hendy
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000383:Agriculture; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D010575:Pesticides; D012923:Social Class
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase