%0 Journal Article
%T Relation between anemia and blood levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron among children
%A Amal A Hegazy
%A Manal M Zaher
%A Manal A Abd el-hafez
%A Amal A Morsy
%A Raya A Saleh
%J BMC Research Notes
%D 2010
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1756-0500-3-133
%X The study is a cross-sectional performed on 60 children. Venous blood samples were taken from the studied population for estimating hematological parameters as well as iron and ferritin levels. The concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead were measured. The studied population was divided into anemic and non-anemic (control) groups. The anemic group was further classified into mild, moderate and severe anemia. The study subjects were also categorized into low and high blood lead level groups.Approximately 63.33% of children had blood lead levels ¡Ý 10 ¦Ìg/dl. At the blood lead level range of 10-20 ¦Ìg/dl, a significant association was found for mild and severe anemia. The blood level of iron and ferritin was found to be significantly lower in high blood lead level and anemic groups than those of the low blood lead level and control groups. Lead level in drinking water was higher than the permissible limit.Lead level ¡Ý 10 ¦Ìg/dl was significantly associated with anemia, decreased iron absorption and hematological parameters affection. High blood lead levels were associated with low serum iron and ferritin. Lead level in drinking water was found to be higher than the permissible limits.Deficiency of certain trace elements generally causes hypochromic microcytic anemia. Iron deficiency not only causes hypochromic microcytic anemia, but also increases the absorption of other elements such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). Therefore, in patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia, the serum levels of these elements may increase causing deterioration of anemia. Generally, heavy exposure to (Pb and Cd) causes hypochromic microcytic anemia [1]. Iron absorption occurs predominantly in the duodenum and jejunum. A number of dietary factors influence iron absorption, ascorbate and citrate increase iron uptake. Lead is a particularly pernicious element to iron metabolism, as it is taken up by the iron absorption machinery, and secondarily blocks iron through competitive inhibition. Furt
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/3/133