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Low Level Lead Exposure and Postural Balance in Children

Hemingway, Jennifer M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1353099859

Abstract Details

2012, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Epidemiology (Environmental Health).
Background: The detrimental effects of lead exposure have been well documented. In children, it is linked to a decrease in IQ, damage to the nervous system, behavioral problems, slowed growth and poor neuromotor skills. It has been suggested there is no safe level of lead exposure. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to 1) conduct a literature review for the effects of low level lead exposure, 2) identify sources of lead exposure in a rural Ohio community with no known airborne exposure sources, and 3) investigate the relationship between low level lead exposure (<5 μg/dL) and postural balance. Methods: A literature review was conducted summarizing the studies of childhood low level lead exposure and health outcomes. Low level lead was originally defined as BLLs below 10 μg/dL and then expanded to 20 μg/dL. The Marietta Community Actively Researching Exposure Study (CARES) is an ongoing study in two Appalachian counties in Southeastern Ohio, Washington County and Guernsey County. The goal of CARES is to understand neurobehavioral consequences of airborne metal exposure. Only children from Guernsey County were included in these analyses. Parents of children ages 7-9 completed a demographic and exposure questionnaire. A table of potential lead exposures was extrapolated from the questionnaire data. Each of the exposure categories had the number of participants with this exposure calculated along with the percentages of participants who had this possible route of exposure. Children provided a blood sample for metals analyses, and a subset of these children participated in the postural balance assessment. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between blood lead levels and postural balance. Results: Residing in a house built before the lead paint ban in 1978 was the most common possible route of household lead exposure. The blood lead concentration of children living in homes built before 1978 was 28% higher than children residing in homes built after 1978. The average BLL was 1.6 μg/dL (n=30). The children’s BLLs were significantly associated with postural balance in two of the eight test conditions. The relationship was positive for the sway area (SA) in the eyes closed (EC) condition. Conclusions: The most common source for lead exposure in our cohort is lead-based paint and home renovations. The four models that indicated that there is potential functional impairment of the vestibular and/or proprioceptive systems are SA in the EO condition, SA in the EC condition, SA in the FO condition and SA in the FC condition; however, statistical significance in the expected direction was found for the SA in the EC condition only. Future studies with a larger sample size will be needed to further evaluate the relationship between low BLLs and postural balance.
Erin Nicole Haynes, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Amit Bhattacharya, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Kim Dietrich, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Paul Succop, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
28 p.
Epidemiology
Lead; Balance; Epidemiology;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hemingway, J. M. (2012). Low Level Lead Exposure and Postural Balance in Children [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1353099859

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hemingway, Jennifer. Low Level Lead Exposure and Postural Balance in Children. 2012. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1353099859.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hemingway, Jennifer. "Low Level Lead Exposure and Postural Balance in Children." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1353099859

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1353099859
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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.