Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Blood Lead Level and Anthropometric Status of Egyptian Preschool Children

Mai M. Youssef1 and Amal Saad2

1 Department of Child Health and 2 Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Corresponding author: Dr. Amal Saad
    Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine
    National Research Center
    Tahrir Street
    Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
    E-mail: amel_h3@yahoo.com

CEJOEM 2005, Vol.11. No.3.: 197–206


Key words:
Environmental tobacco smoke, preschool children, cotinine-creatinine ratio, blood lead level, and anthropometric status

Abbreviations:
BLL
BMI
CC
CCR
= Blood lead level
= Body mass index
= Chest circumference
= Cotinine/creatinine ratio
ETS
HAP
MAC
WAP
= Environmental tobacco smoke
= Height-for-age percentile
= Mid arm circumference
= Weight-for-age percentile


Abstract:
Passively smoking children proved to be exposed to many hazardous components of the environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Lead (Pb) was one of them. The aim of this study was to discuss passive smoking as a risk factor for growth retardation of children. It evaluates the role of Pb, as a component of ETS, on the growth of passively smoking preschool Egyptian children. The study included 175 children aged 1–6 years. Personal, environmental, medical, and social questionnaires were completed by the parents. History of smoking habits during pregnancy and after delivery was thoroughly asked. The questionnaire and urinary cotinine/creatinine ratio (CCR) were used as biomarker of ETS exposure. Blood lead level (BLL) and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration were determined. Anthropometrical assessment based on the measurement of weight, height, mid-arm and chest circumferences was done for all children included. Statistical analysis of the results proved that the weight-for-age percentile (WAP) and body mass index (BMI) of the children exposed to smoking fathers or both parents were significantly lower, while BLL and CCR significantly higher compared to the non-exposed group. The Hb concentration significantly decreased. All of the anthropometrical parameters of the passively smoking children, except height, height-for-age percentile (HAP), and Hb concentration, inversely correlated with the dose of ETS exposure, CCR, and BLL controlled for age and sex differences. In conclusion, passive smoking is considered as a significant risk factor for the elevation of BLL, retardation of growth, and decline of the Hb concentration in preschool children. The present data, indicating an inverse association between ETS and growth of children, support the policy to further restrict children’s exposure.


Received: 20 June 2005
Accepted: 2 December 2005

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