title: Blood lead levels in children aged between 1 and 6 years old in La Plata, Argentina. Identification of risk factors for lead exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lead has neurotoxic effects in children, even at a very low level in blood. The risk factors (RFs) for lead exposure have not been adequately identified in La Plata. The objectives of this study were to determine mean blood lead levels and identify RFs in children aged 1 to 6 years old living in La Plata and the outskirts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in children who attended primary health care centers for a health check-up. Blood lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and a socioenvironmental survey was administered to outline RFs. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare measurements. A multivariate statistical analysis was done to establish the most relevant RFs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 319 children participated (51% were boys); the median (interquartile range) blood lead level was 2.2 pg/dL (1.1-3.6 pg/dL). Significant mean differences in blood lead levels were observed for age≤ 3years old, anemia, pica behavior, overcrowding, dirt floors, and maternal education < 7 years. Age≤ 3years old and pica behavior were both RFs with significant odds ratios (ORs). The OR as adjusted by logistic regression was significant only for age≤ 3years old.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The median blood lead level in the studied population was 2.2 pg/dL. The main RFs identified for lead exposure were age≤ 3years old and pica behavior. Other less relevant RFs included anemia, maternal education < 7 years, overcrowding, and dirt floors.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. enriqueflmartins@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varea
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Toxicología, Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica", La Plata, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Girardelli
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Desarrollo e Investigaciones Pediátricas (IDIP) "Prof. Dr. Fernando E. Viteri", Hospital de Niños "Sor María Ludovica" de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud/Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (MS/CIC-PBA), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Disalvo
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014504:Urban Health
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: Children; Environmental risk exposure; Lead; Risk factors