Title
Association of hemoglobin levels and brainstem auditory evoked responses in lead-exposed children
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Pediatrics; Shriver Center; Center for Health Policy and Research
Date
10-2012
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Hemoglobins; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Lead; Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood
Disciplines
Medical Biochemistry | Medical Toxicology | Pediatrics | Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Decreased blood hemoglobin (HbB) levels and anemia have been associated with abnormal brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAER). Lead (Pb) exposure has also been associated with anemia and aberrant BAER. This study investigated the relationship between HbB level and BAER wave latency and amplitude in Pb-exposed Andean children.
DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty-six children aged 2 to 15years (mean age: 9.1; SD: 3.3) living in Pb-contaminated villages were screened for HbB levels, blood Pb (PbB) levels and BAER latencies and amplitudes.
RESULTS: The mean HbB level observed in the study group was 11.9g/dL (SD: 1.4; range: 8.6-14.8g/dL). The mean HbB level corrected for altitude was 10.3g/dL (SD: 1.4; range: 6.9-13.1g/dL), and suggestive of anemia. The mean PbB level was 49.3mug/dL (SD: 30.1; range: 4.4-119.1mug/dL) and indicative of Pb poisoning. Spearman rho correlation analyses revealed significant associations between the BAER absolute latencies and HbB level, indicating that as the HbB level decreased, the BAER wave latency increased. Children with low HbB levels (
CONCLUSION: Low hemoglobin levels may diminish auditory sensory-neural function, and is therefore an important variable to consider when assessing BAER in children with anemia and/or Pb exposure.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Clin Biochem. 2012 Oct;45(15):1197-201. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2012.06.020. Epub 2012 Jun 23. Link to article on publisher's site