A study on relationship between blood lead level in children and fetal umbilical cord
Zhang, F.; Chen, Y.; Jiang, X.
Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi 35(1): 42-43
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9624 PMID: 11860959 Document Number: 527962
To study the relationship between blood lead level in children and fetus. Blood specimens were collected from the fingers of children aged one to five years and from umbilical cord when the babies were born, to determine their lead level with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average blood lead level was (0.42 +/- 0.15) micromol/L in 1 122 children. Blood lead level in 27.54% of the children was above >/= 0.483 micromol/L. The average umbilical blood lead level was (0.16 +/- 0.12) micromol/L in 127 neonates. Blood lead level in 0.79% of the new-born babies were greater than >/= 0.483 micromol/L. Higher blood lead level in children was mainly caused by environmental pollution and unhealthy life behaviors. Background blood lead in fetuses has already reached a higher level, so prevention from lead poisoning in children should begin during pregnancy.