Acute-phase proteins in children from industrially polluted regions: influence of treatment
Sojka, L.; Tomalak, W.; Gaweł, J.
Pediatria Polska 71(2): 111-116
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-3939 PMID: 8966075 Document Number: 468079
We present the results of observation and treatment of 440 children aged 8-10 years coming from a region of heavy industrial pollution around Legnica. The majority of children from the investigated group presented signs of chronic inflammation of the upper airways (at the beginning of their stay in Rabka the entire group had an average 16.6 +/- 15.7 mm/1h ESR-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and their whole-blood lead level ranged from 5 to 15 micrograms%, averaging was 9.1 +/- 2.7 micrograms%). At the beginning of their stay in Rabka, acute-phase proteins levels of the Legnica children were compared to those of children from health-resort region of Rabka and were found to differ significantly in respect to ferritin (p < 0.001) and transferrin (p < 0.01) serum levels. Treatment with propolis significantly modified the climatic effects on ESR, on some electrophoretical fractions of serum proteins and on some A-PhP involved in iron metabolism. There was no individual correlation between the whole blood lead level and acute-phase proteins levels and the intensity of their changes after treatment.