Nutritional status and diet as predictors of children's lead concentrations in blood and urine. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kordas, Katarzyna; Burganowski, Rachael; Roy, Aditi; Peregalli, Fabiana; Baccino, Valentina; Barcia, Elizabeth; Mangieri, Soledad; Ocampo, Virginia; Mañay, Nelly; Martínez, Gabriela; Vahter, Marie; Queirolo, Elena I.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 111(2018)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Blood lead -- Urinary lead -- Child -- Diet -- Nutrient -- Uruguay; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Lead exposure remains an important public health problem. Contaminated foods may act as a source of lead exposure, while certain nutrients may reduce lead absorption. We examined the cross-sectional associations of dietary patterns and the intake of several nutrients and foods with blood (Pb-B) and urinary (Pb-U) lead concentrations in children (5–8 y) from Montevideo, Uruguay. From two 24-hour recalls completed by caregivers, we derived the mean daily intake of select nutrients and food groups (dairy, milk, fruit, root vegetables, foods rich in heme and non-heme iron), as well as "nutrient dense" and "processed" food patterns. Pb-B ( n = 315) was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry; Pb-U ( n = 321) using ICP-MS. Pb-U was adjusted for specific gravity and log-transformed to approximate a normal distribution. Iron deficiency (ID) and dietary variables were tested as predictors of Pb-B and log-Pb-U in covariate-adjusted regressions. Median [5%, 95%] Pb-B and Pb-U were 3.8 [0.8–7.8] μg/dL and 1.9 [0.6–5.1] μg/L, respectively; ~ 25% of Pb-B above current U.S. CDC reference concentration of 5 μg/dL. ID was associated with 0.75 μg/dL higher Pb-B, compared to non-ID ( p < 0.05). Consumption of root vegetables was not associated with Pb-B or log-Pb-U. Higher scores on the nutrient-dense pattern were related with higher Pb-Bs, possibly due to consumption of green leafy vegetables. Dietary intake of iron or iron-rich foods was not associated with biomarkers of lead. Conversely, children consuming more calcium, dairy, milk and yogurt had lower Pb-B and log-Pb-U. Our findings appear consistent with existing recommendations on including calcium-rich, but not iron- or vitamin-C-rich foods in the diets of lead-exposed children, especially where the consumption of these foods is low. Highlights: Links between children's nutritional status, diet and biomarkers of lead were assessed. Iron deficiency was associated with higher blood lead concentrations. Higher consumption of calcium-rich foods like milk and yogurt was linked with lower lead concentrations in blood and urine. Higher consumption of iron-rich or vitamin-C rich foods was not related to blood or urinary lead.