RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD LEAD AND DIETARY IRON INTAKE IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

The relationship between dietary iron intake and blood lead levels in urban preschool children was investigated in a cross-sectional study o f 299 children from 9 months to 5 years old. Mothers of children atten ding the University of Maryland Pediatric Ambulatory Clinic volunteere d for the children and themselves to join the study. The data collecte d included nutritional status, socioeconomic status, medical history, and potential sources of lead exposure. Blood samples from all partici pants were evaluated for levels of blood lead, serum iron (ferritin), free erythrocyte protoporphyrin, calcium, and hematocrit. The average blood lead level (standard deviation) in the studied population was 11 .4 (7.3) mu g/dL. With multiple linear and logistic regression analyse s to adjust for covariates, a negative association (P = 0.03) between blood lead and dietary iron intake was found. This finding is consiste nt with similar results from experimental studies. It is concluded tha t there is evidence chat higher dietary iron intake is associated with lower blood lead among urban preschool children in the studied popula tion.