[Lead poisoning in the newborn and infants: an epidemiological study in an area of Northern Italy]

Abstract

Objective: Lead crosses the placenta and can cause permanent neurological impairment by prenatal poisoning. Blood lead levels higher than 10 mcgr/dl in children age 1 to 2 years may be toxic. In 1991 the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) published "Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children" with the new guidelines defining the value of 10 mcgr/dl as the security limit. Since no blood lead levels in childhood have been collected in Italy this study reports blood lead levels in newborns and 4 month old infants in the Piemonte Region.

Design: The study was carried out on a random sample of 55 mother-infant couples attending the Mauriziano Hospital in Turin. The cohort was divided into urban versus rural residence. In every subject attending the study lead, ALA-d and Zn-PP were measured on venous blood specimens in three different moments.

Results: Even though our study refers to a small population our data were reassuring. The mean lead values found in the cohort in the three different stages were all below 10 mcgr/dl. ALA-d and Zn-PP resulted also in normal ranges. No statistical difference emerged between urban and rural coming subjects.

Conclusions: In consideration of the results obtained we cannot confirm the necessity of a general screening programme for lead poisoning in our population. We assert the utility of a selective screening on the basis of a questionnaire as already experimented in some states of the U.S.A.