Relationships between blood lead concentrations, intelligence, and academic achievement of Saudi Arabian schoolgirls

This cross-sectional study examined the association between blood lead leve ls and neuropsychological and behavioural problems of 533 schoolgirls (6- 1 2 years of age) who attended public schools in Riyadh, Capital of Saudi Ara bia. Regression models were used to determine the best predictors of Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based scores and rank percentil e. The mean blood lead level was 8.11 +/- 3.50 mug/dl in the range of 2.3 t o 27.36 mug/dl. Significant negative associations were noted between blood lead levels and Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores as well as rank perce ntile. Lead had no effect on TONI Saudi-based standard scores. Beery VMI Sa udi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based standard scores and rank percen tiles were inversely related to pupils with blood lead levels > 9 mug/dl. T hese findings attest an association between neuropsychological and behaviou ral 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 b y public health authorities to give more attention to this pediatric health problem.