Blood lead levels in newborns from La Oroya, 2004-2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2008.254.1297Keywords:
Environmental pollution, Lead poisoning, Environmental health, PeruAbstract
Objective. To determine blood lead levels in newborns less than 12-hours of life, in La Oroya. Material and methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective study performed between June 2004 to June 2005 in a sample consisting in newborns in La Oroya. A questionnaire was administered to pregnant women and lead levels were determined in a sample of venous blood (2 mL) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry with an air-acetylene flame. Values are expressed ad micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (ug/dL). Results. 93 newborns were assessed, average blood lead contents was 8.84 μg/dL (SD: 0.57). 70 newborns (75.3%) had blood lead levels between 6 and 10 μg/dL, and 23 (24.7%) had more than 10 μg/dL. Newborns from mothers living in La Oroya Nueva (the new city) have blood lead levels lower than those from mothers living in La Oroya Vieja (the old city) (p= 0.002). Conclusions. Newborns in La Oroya have high blood lead levels, so it is necessary to initiate prevention programs in pregnant women in order to prevent deleterious health outcomes in newborns.Downloads
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Published
2014-01-17
Issue
Section
Research Articles
How to Cite
1.
Pebe G, Villa H, Escate L, Cervantes G. Blood lead levels in newborns from La Oroya, 2004-2005. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica [Internet]. 2014 Jan. 17 [cited 2024 Dec. 9];25(4). Available from: https://rpmesp.ins.gob.pe/index.php/rpmesp/article/view/1297