BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) threshold for intervention for blood lead level (BLL) is greater than 0.48 μmol/L, but new research suggests that there are adverse effects at any level of exposure. Children with autism are at increased risk for lead exposure and intoxication, and have later and more prolonged exposures because of exploratory oral behaviours and pica. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the mean BLL and prevalence of high BLL in a convenience sample of autistic children living in northern Alberta, based on the CDC threshold for intervention. METHODS: Children with autism were recruited from the clinics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. A complete blood count and differential, serum ferritin and BLL were requested after consent was obtained. Summary statistics were reported. For dichotomous outcomes, proportions were presented. Continuous outcomes for the two groups with a BLL of 0.1 μmol/L or greater, or less than 0.1 μmol/L were compared. RESULTS: None of the children tested had a BLL exceeding 0.48 μmol/L. Nine children (19%) had BLLs of 0.1 μmol/L or greater but less than 0.48 μmol/L, and 39 (81%) had BLLs of less than 0.1 μmol/L. Those with a BLL of 0.1 μmol/L or greater had significantly more pica or oral exploratory behaviours. CONCLUSION: Children with autism in northern Alberta may not be at risk for elevated BLLs that exceed the CDC threshold for intervention. They should be screened for lead exposure risk factors and tested if there are risks, especially behaviours relating to pica and oral exploration of objects. Clinicians may need to further explore the reasons for low-level exposures to lead in the autistic population.
BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) threshold for intervention for blood lead level (BLL) is greater than 0.48 μmol/L, but new research suggests that there are adverse effects at any level of exposure. Children with autism are at increased risk for lead exposure and intoxication, and have later and more prolonged exposures because of exploratory oral behaviours and pica. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the mean BLL and prevalence of high BLL in a convenience sample of autisticchildren living in northern Alberta, based on the CDC threshold for intervention. METHODS:Children with autism were recruited from the clinics at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta. A complete blood count and differential, serum ferritin and BLL were requested after consent was obtained. Summary statistics were reported. For dichotomous outcomes, proportions were presented. Continuous outcomes for the two groups with a BLL of 0.1 μmol/L or greater, or less than 0.1 μmol/L were compared. RESULTS: None of the children tested had a BLL exceeding 0.48 μmol/L. Nine children (19%) had BLLs of 0.1 μmol/L or greater but less than 0.48 μmol/L, and 39 (81%) had BLLs of less than 0.1 μmol/L. Those with a BLL of 0.1 μmol/L or greater had significantly more pica or oral exploratory behaviours. CONCLUSION:Children with autism in northern Alberta may not be at risk for elevated BLLs that exceed the CDC threshold for intervention. They should be screened for lead exposure risk factors and tested if there are risks, especially behaviours relating to pica and oral exploration of objects. Clinicians may need to further explore the reasons for low-level exposures to lead in the autistic population.
Authors: Cara F Dosman; Irene E Drmic; Jessica A Brian; Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan; Mary Harford; Ryan Smith; S Wendy Roberts Journal: Dev Med Child Neurol Date: 2006-12 Impact factor: 5.449
Authors: Audrey Smargiassi; Larissa Takser; André Masse; Martin Sergerie; Donna Mergler; Geneviève St-Amour; Philippe Blot; Georgette Hellier; Guy Huel Journal: Sci Total Environ Date: 2002-05-06 Impact factor: 7.963
Authors: A S Hartmann; M Zenger; H Glaesmer; B Strauß; E Brähler; M de Zwaan; A Hilbert Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2022-06-09 Impact factor: 7.818
Authors: Mohammad H Rahbar; Maureen Samms-Vaughan; MinJae Lee; MacKinsey A Christian; Jan Bressler; Manouchehr Hessabi; Megan L Grove; Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington; Charlene Coore Desai; Jody-Ann Reece; Katherine A Loveland; Compton Beecher; Wayne McLaughlin; Eric Boerwinkle Journal: Res Autism Spectr Disord Date: 2018-09-05
Authors: Mohammad H Rahbar; Maureen Samms-Vaughan; Aisha S Dickerson; Katherine A Loveland; Manouchehr Ardjomand-Hessabi; Jan Bressler; Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington; Megan L Grove; Deborah A Pearson; Eric Boerwinkle Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-12-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Manouchehr Hessabi; Mohammad H Rahbar; Iuliana Dobrescu; MacKinsey A Bach; Liana Kobylinska; Jan Bressler; Megan L Grove; Katherine A Loveland; Ilinca Mihailescu; Maria Cristina Nedelcu; Mihaela Georgeta Moisescu; Bogdan Mircea Matei; Christien Oktaviani Matei; Florina Rad Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-06-28 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Mohammad H Rahbar; Maureen Samms-Vaughan; MinJae Lee; Jing Zhang; Manouchehr Hessabi; Jan Bressler; MacKinsey A Bach; Megan L Grove; Sydonnie Shakespeare-Pellington; Compton Beecher; Wayne McLaughlin; Katherine A Loveland Journal: Res Autism Spectr Disord Date: 2020-10-24
Authors: Janelle E Stanton; Sigita Malijauskaite; Kieran McGourty; Andreas M Grabrucker Journal: Front Mol Neurosci Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 5.639