title: Learning disorder and blood concentration of heavy metals in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: Children are frequently exposed to toxic metals in the environment, and their developing central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to their effects. This study examined the blood level of heavy metals in children with learning disorder (LD) as compared to children without LD in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Significantly high blood concentrations of seven heavy metals were found in children with LD. Further analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression showed that molybdenum levels and family history of developmental problems were the best predictors of LD. Our findings suggest the need for monitoring for toxic metals in the environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yousef
authors.forename: Valsamma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eapen
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zoubeidi
authors.forename: Melita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kosanovic
authors.forename: Abdel Azim
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mabrouk
authors.forename: Abdu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adem
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Heavy metals; Leaning disorder; United Arab Emirates