International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 15, Issue 6, 2018

Lead exposure and associated risk factors among new migrant children arriving in Greece (Article) (Open Access)

Tanaka M. , Petsios K. , Dikalioti S.K.* , Poulopoulou S. , Matziou V. , Theocharis S. , Pavlopoulou I.D.
  • a Pediatric Clinic, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Thivon & Levadeias str., Athens, 11527, Greece
  • b Department of Nursing Research, Onassis Cardiosurgical Center, 356 Sygrou Avenue, Athens, 17674, Greece
  • c Pediatric Clinic, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Thivon & Levadeias str., Athens, 11527, Greece
  • d Department of Statistics, Athens University of Economy & Business, 76 Patission str., Athens, 10434, Greece
  • e Pediatric Clinic, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Thivon & Levadeias str., Athens, 11527, Greece
  • f Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 M. Asias str, Athens, 11527, Greece
  • g Pediatric Clinic, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Faculty of Nursing, Thivon & Levadeias str., Athens, 11527, Greece

Abstract

Background: This study aims to assess lead exposure and associated risk factors among newly arrived migrant (M) (immigrant and refugees) children in Greece and a matched control of native (N) children. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed in an outpatient clinic of a tertiary children’s hospital. Results: From 2010 to 2014, 598 children (M/N: 349/249) with a mean age of 6.96 years old (range 1–14, SD 3.76) were enrolled. Blood lead levels (BLLs) ranged from 0.7 to 21 µg/dL in migrant and from 0.4 to 10 µg/dL in native Greek children. Elevated BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL were detected in 27.7% of migrants and 1.2% of natives (p < 0.001). A significant association was found between EBLLs and childrens’ age (≤5 years) (OR: 1.8, p-value 0.02) and EBLLs with Asian origin (OR: 3.63, p-value 0.023). Conclusion: New migrant children presented with increased BLLs when compared to their age- and sex-matched controls. Younger age and Asian origin were significant risk factors associated with elevated BLLs among children. Early screening, secondary prevention, and regular follow-up could prove useful in this vulnerable population. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Refugees Blood lead levels immigrants Children

Index Keywords

vulnerable population prospective study immigrant refugee indigenous people follow up Prospective Studies human epidemiology Refugees risk assessment statistics and numerical data lead controlled study lead blood level statistical significance Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study migrant Humans Adolescent Greek (citizen) male Emigrants and Immigrants secondary prevention preschool child female Infant risk factor Risk Factors Child, Preschool young population hospital sector Greece outpatient department Article blood major clinical study age Age Factors assessment method Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047552854&doi=10.3390%2fijerph15061057&partnerID=40&md5=a89728fa1e01dbb422945e83f7533f11
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15061057
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English