Lead and the Child

Yıl 1996, Cilt: 31 Sayı: 1, - , 01.03.1996

Lebriz Yüksel Soycan

Öz

Lead is a toxic metal which is not normally found and has no function in the human body Binding to proteins it inactivates enzymatic functions and damages cellular structures such as mitochondria It interacts with the intracellular calcium messenger system impairing electrical and hormonal signals Lead enters the body by oral and respiratory routes Blood lead levels correlate closely with atmospheric lead levels The major source of airborne lead is leaded gasoline Children absorb and retain much more lead than adults under similar conditions Infants children and pregnant woman as surrogates for fetuses constitute the most sensitivite populations The toxic effects of lead on prenatal and postnatal growth cognitive and other nuerobehavioral functions and heme synthesis start at blood lead levels lt;10 µg dL Therefore the acceptable blood lead level has recently been lowered to 10 µg dl and might even be lowered further Studies should be undertaken to determine the blood lead levels of infants and children in our population and efforts should be directed towards elimination of sources of lead mainly leaded gasoline Key words: Lead Intoxication Child

Anahtar Kelimeler

-

Kurşun ve Çocuk

Öz

SummaryLead is a toxic metal which is not normally found and has no function in the human body Binding to proteins it inactivates enzymatic functions and damages cellular structures such as mitochondria It interacts with the intracellular calcium messenger system impairing electrical and hormonal signals Lead enters the body by oral and respiratory routes Blood lead levels correlate closely with atmospheric lead levels The major source of airborne lead is leaded gasoline Children absorb and retain much more lead than adults under similar conditions Infants children and pregnant woman as surrogates for fetuses constitute the most sensitivite populations The toxic effects of lead on prenatal and postnatal growth cognitive and other nuerobehavioral functions and heme synthesis start at blood lead levels lt;10 µg dL Therefore the acceptable blood lead level has recently been lowered to 10 µg dl and might even be lowered further Studies should be undertaken to determine the blood lead levels of infants and children in our population and efforts should be directed towards elimination of sources of lead mainly leaded gasoline Key words: Lead Intoxication Child

Anahtar Kelimeler

-