ENVIRONMENTAL CO-EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND MANGANESE AND NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS IN EGYPTIAN CHILDREN A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY | ||
| Al-Azhar Journal of Pediatrics | ||
| Article 5, Volume 25, Issue 4, October 2022, Pages 3019-3033 PDF (97.67 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/azjp.2022.274054 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Environmental pollutants are byproducts of our industrialized society. Exposure to Lead and Manganese resulting in elevated levels in the human body is becoming increasingly highlighted as findings, in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism which are of complex aetiology and showing increasing prevalence. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between ADHD, Autism and environmental exposure to Lead and Manganese. Methods: This case-control study included 100 children aged (2 – 13) years, 70 children previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorders (37 ADHD and 33Autism), diagnosed according to DSM-V criteria coming for follow-up in the Child Psychiatry clinic, Children’s hospital Ain Shams University, and 30 apparently healthy children comparable for age, sex, education and socioeconomic levels as control during the period from July 2018 to August 2020, they were selected by simple random method. Venous blood samples were taken from the studied population to determine the level of Lead and Manganese in the blood along with an interview questionnaire including personal, environmental, medical, psychiatric and social factors which was completed by parents. Results: Blood Lead levels ranged between 2-24 µg/dl among cases and 2-9 µg/dl among controls while Manganese levels were between 5-36 µg/dl among cases and 4-15 µg/dl among controls. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly elevated mean blood Lead level and mean blood Manganese level in children with ADHD and Autism versus the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion: It was found that there is a statistically significant higher blood level of Lead and Manganese In patients with ADHD and Autism versus the control group. Environmental pollution is an important factor to be considered when handling psychiatric illnesses. | ||
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