The concentration of lead in blood and allergic sensitization in children of pre-school age from two regions of Slovakia

Czech version

Authors: Babjaková J.1 ^,2; Ľ. Palkovičová ²; H. Patayová ²; K. Rausová ²; S. Wimmerová ³; M. Ursínyová ⁴; Z. Hušeková ⁴; P. Čižnár ⁵
Authors‘ workplace: Ústav hygieny, Lekárska fakulta Univerzity Komenského, Bratislava, prednosta prof. MUDr. Ľ. Ševčíková, CSc., Oddelenie environmentálnej medicíny, Fakulta verejného zdravotníctva Slovenskej zdravotníckej univerzity, Bratislava , vedúca MUDr. Ľ. Palk ¹
Published in: Čes-slov Pediat 2012; 67 (1): 15-22.
Category: Original Papers

Overview

Aim:
To evaluate the association between the exposure to lead (Pb) and presence of specific antibodies (sIgE) against the most common inhalant and food allergens in children from Bratislava and Stara Lubovna.

Methodology:
Within the APVT project „Prenatal/postnatal exposure to xenobiotics and development of allergic diseases in early childhood“, 2005–2008, children were annually examined by the allergist, sample of child venous blood was taken and the questionnaire was completed by mother of a child. The concentrations of lead in blood were measured using atomic absoption spectrometry in 4-years old children and the levels of specific antibodies against the most common food (fx5) and inhalant allergens (Phadiatop) were determined using UniCAP^®Specific IgE Fluoroenzymeimmunoassay method, RAST FEIA in 5-years old children.

Results:
The concentration of blood Pb in children was within the range of 10,88–65,23 µg/l. Higher Pb concentrations were found in children from Stara Lubovna (24,47 µg/l), if compared to Bratislava (22,79 µg/l), although the difference was not statistically significant. In Bratislava, children had significantly higher prevalence of positive levels of sIgE against inhalant allergens, if compared to Stara Lubovna (18.3% vs. 6.7%; OR 3.143 (95% CI: 1.09–9.03)). There were no differences in sensitization against food allergens between the two regions.

Conclusion:
We did not find a significant relationship between blood Pb concentrations in children and sensitization to the most common inhalant and food allergens, although there was a trend towards higher Pb concentrations in children with positive specific antibodies against inhalant and food allergens.

Key words:
pre-schoolaged children, Bratislava, Stara Lubovna, exposure to lead, sensitization against inhalant and food allergens

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