Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Volume 204, Issue 2-3, Pages 165-174Publisher
URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG
DOI: 10.1078/1438-4639-00091
Keywords
schoolgirls; lead; Saudi Arabia; intelligence; academic achievement
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This cross-sectional study examined the association between blood lead levels and neuropsychological and behavioural problems of 533 schoolgirls (6- 12 years of age) who attended public schools in Riyadh, Capital of Saudi Arabia. Regression models were used to determine the best predictors of Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based scores and rank percentile. The mean blood lead level was 8.11 +/- 3.50 mug/dl in the range of 2.3 to 27.36 mug/dl. Significant negative associations were noted between blood lead levels and Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores as well as rank percentile. Lead had no effect on TONI Saudi-based standard scores. Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based standard scores and rank percentiles were inversely related to pupils with blood lead levels > 9 mug/dl. These findings attest an association between neuropsychological and behavioural impairment and lead exposure at blood lead levels in the range of 9.02 to 27.36 mug/dl. The results of this study should be seriously considered by public health authorities to give more attention to this pediatric health problem.
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