title: A clinical study of the effects of lead poisoning on the intelligence and neurobehavioral abilities of children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lead is a heavy metal and important environmental toxicant and nerve poison that can destruction many functions of the nervous system. Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by increased levels of lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and issues, including the central nervous system. It interferes with the development of the nervous system, and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent neural and cognitive impairments. In this study, we investigated the relationship between lead poisoning and the intellectual and neurobehavioral capabilities of children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The background characteristics of the research subjects were collected by questionnaire survey. Blood lead levels were detected by differential potentiometric stripping analysis (DPSA). Intelligence was assessed using the Gesell Developmental Scale. The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate each child's behavior.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood lead levels were significantly negatively correlated with the developmental quotients of adaptive behavior, gross motor performance, fine motor performance, language development, and individual social behavior (P < 0.01). Compared with healthy children, more children with lead poisoning had abnormal behaviors, especially social withdrawal, depression, and atypical body movements, aggressions and destruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead poisoning has adverse effects on the behavior and mental development of 2-4-year-old children, prescribing positive and effective precautionary measures.
authors: Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Shuangxing
authors: S
authors: Hou
authors: Lianfang
authors: L
authors: Yuan
authors: Pengpeng
authors: P
authors: Jin
authors: Bojun
authors: B
authors: Ding
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Qin
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Li
authors: Xuedong
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Zhongliang
authors: Z
authors: Wu
authors: Gang
authors: G
authors: Zhao
authors: Yanchun
authors: Y
authors: Deng
mesh_terms: D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000523:psychology*; D009043:Motor Activity; D011199:Potentiometry; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires