The Association Between Environmental Lead Exposure and Recurrent Respiratory Infections in Children Aged 3–7 Years in Shenyang, China

• DOI: 10.1007/s13312-020-2028-y
• Publication Date: 2020-11-20T16:11:11Z
• Authors: Xue-Ning Li; Ying Liu; Na Huang; Xiao-Jun Cheng; Li-Hong Jia
• Keywords: Lead Poisoning; 0301 basic medicine; China; 03 medical and health sciences; Lead; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Humans; Environmental Exposure; Respiratory Tract Infections; 3. Good health

To investigate the lead exposure levels, and the effect of blood lead level (BLL) on recurrent respiratory infections in children aged 3-7 years in Shenyang.A case-control study including 78 children with recurrent respiratory infections and 141 controls was performed. Venous blood was obtained for BLL, and a questionnaire was completed.The BLL was significantly higher in children with recurrent respiratory infections than that in the control group [Median (IQR): 2.56 (1.29-6.19) vs 1.99 (0.90-5.92) µg/dL, P=0.029]. Children with BLL ≥1.95 µg/dL were more likely to be suffering from recurrent respiratory infections (OR=2.328, 95%CI=1.228-4.413) than those with BLL <1.95 µg/dL.High lead level can increase the risk of respiratory infections in preschool children.