Objective. To define the prevalence, severity and risk factors for lead poisoning in new immigrant children from the mainland of China to Hong Kong, China. Methods. New immigrant children from the mainland of China under 18 years of age were invited to join the study. Their growth parameters and venous blood lead levels (BLL) were measured within 7 days of arrival. Those with elevated BLL i.e. > 10 μg/dl (0.48 μmol/L) were assessed for signs, symptoms and risk factors of lead poisoning. Education on the prevention of lead poisoning and follow up BLL measurements were offered until their BLL normalized. Results. Four hundred and fifty-seven children were recruited. Among them, 18.1% and 2.6% had BLL > 0.48 and 0.71 μmol/L, respectively. None had BLL > 0.96 μmol/L. Possible risk factors included contaminated drinking water (19%), herb ingestion (17.5%), pica, playing in dumping grounds, residing near paint factories or highways, habitual inhalation of car exhaust and cooking with petroleum. Symptoms and signs included abdominal pain, headache, short stature, and learning difficulties but did not correlate with BLL. None required treatment except for counseling on the avoidance of risk factors. About 94.7% showed a reduction in BLL 2 - 3 months after arrival and before counseling. All had normalized BLL by 9 months except 1 who had an X-ray feature of lead line. Conclusions. Lead poisoning is common in new immigrant children from the mainland of China. Environmental factors were most important while behavioral factors like regular herb ingestion might have contributed to the persistence of high BLL in the minority.

China risk factors child lead poisoning Prevalance

China medical assessment immigrant demography herb abdominal pain correlation analysis cooking follow up human clinical feature Lead Poisoning controlled study water contamination child behavior paint industry dumping inhalation pica child growth short stature patient counseling bone radiography exhaust gas Humans Adolescent headache Infant, Newborn lead lead blood level female male Infant risk factor Risk Factors environmental factor Child, Preschool symptom learning disorder prevalence patient education Article major clinical study play highway Hong Kong Emigration and Immigration disease severity food intake Drinking Water petroleum Child