PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL LEAD-EXPOSURE AND BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

The association between early lead exposure and later problem behavior s was evaluated prospectively in a cohort of 8-year-old children born during a 12-month period at one hospital. Lead levels in umbilical cor d blood (($) over bar X = 6.8 mu g/dl, SD = 3.1) and the dentin of a s hed deciduous tooth (($) over tilde X = 3.4 mu g/g, SD = 2.4) provided measures of prenatal and postnatal exposure, respectively. Ratings on the Teacher Report Form of the Child Behavior Profile provided inform ation about children's problem behaviors. Cord blood lead level was no t associated with the overall prevalence or nature of problem behavior s. In both crude and adjusted analyses, tooth lead level was significa ntly associated with total problem behavior scores (approximately 2 po ints in T score per log unit increase in teeth lead). Significant toot h lead-associated increases in both internalizing and externalizing sc ores were also observed (approximately 1.5 points in T score per log u nit increase). Weaker associations were noted between tooth lead level and the prevalence of ''extreme'' problem behavior scores. The extent to which these associations reflect residual confounding is uncertain . These data suggest, however, that social and emotional dysfunctions are correlates and may be expressions of increased lead exposure. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.