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ISSN 2063-5346
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LEAD AND CHROMIUM HAIR LEVELS IN A SAMPLE OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN WITH IDIOPATHIC SHORT STATURE

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Yomna Ahmed Elattar, Hadil Mohamed Aboelenin, Samera Shaabaan Hamed , Doaa Abdel Wahab El-Morsi, Abd El-Aziz Abo El-Fetouh
» doi: 10.53555/ecb/2023.12.7.382

Abstract

Short stature (SS) is a common problem with worldwide concern nowadays. Idiopathic short stature (ISS) is a challenging type of SS as there is no known cause for it. Exposure to toxic metals like Lead and Chromium in humans is rising in developing countries and poses substantial risks to environmental ecosystem systems, and human health and growth. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) hair levels in children with idiopathic short stature. Subjects and methods: The study included 100 children from Mansoura University Hospital and Mansoura Insurance Hospital; 50 children were previously diagnosed by ISS while the other 50 were children with normal stature as controls. All children were subjected to history taking, sociodemographic data collection including name, age, sex and residency, Height for age z-score (HAZ) calculation, and hair sample collection. Hair samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) hair levels. Results: showed that the mean age of the control group was 9.30 ± 2.57 and 10.48 ± 2.4 for the test group. In the control group, Pb level median was 5.8 (IQR, 0.8 - 10.6), while Cr was 34.5 (21.8 - 63.9). In test group, Pb level was 10.2 (IQR, 0.0 - 30.9), while Cr was 127.6 (IQR, 22.7 - 265.0). Higher Pb and Cr levels were significantly associated with ISS (p=0.046, p=0.001 respectively). Correlation between each of Pb and Cr levels with the severity of SS was numerically detected but not statistically significant. Conclusion: Public health interventions are required to minimize the exposure of children to Pb and Cr sources, as higher Pb and Cr levels were significantly associated with ISS in a group of Egyptian children.

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