Blood Lead Levels in Opium-Poisoned Children: One Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Background: Lead poisoning is now more common due to accidental or intentional exposure to opiumimpregnated with lead. We aimed to determine the relationship between the blood lead levels (BLLs) andbasic characteristics in opium-poisoned children.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۳۲ children younger than ۱۳ years old who had been admitted toLoghman Hakim Poison Center, Tehran, Iran, due to opium poisoning, were evaluated for BLLs. Patients’demographics, symptoms, signs, and lab tests were evaluated as well as the BLLs.Findings: The median and range of age in children with opium poisoning were ۱۴ and ۱۴۱ months withminimum and maximum age of ۳ and ۱۴۴ months, respectively, and ۶۲.۵% were boys. Their mean BLL was۹.۷۸ ± ۳.۴۴ μg/dl and in ۷۰% of opium-poisoned children, BLL was ≥ ۵ μg/dl. There was a significantdifference between mean BLLs in girls and boys (۱۷.۰۷ ± ۶.۵۷ μg/dl in girls and ۶.۶۱ ± ۳.۲۲ μg/dl in boys,P = ۰.۰۲). We found a significant correlation between BLL and hemoglobin (Hb) level. In very low Hb level(< ۸ g/dl), the BLL was higher but with increasing Hb level, BLL increased as well; in Hb levels > ۱۴ g/dl,BLL decreased again (P = ۰.۰۱).Conclusion: Although none of the children needed chelation therapy, strategies should be developed toprevent children from being exposed to opium and other materials impregnated with lead regarding itseffects on all organs of children.

Keywords:

Lead , Opium , Child