Blood Lead Levels in Opium-Poisoned Children: One Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Lead poisoning is now more common due to accidental or intentional exposure to opiumimpregnated with lead. We aimed to determine the relationship between the blood lead levels (BLLs) andbasic characteristics in opium-poisoned children.

In this cross-sectional study, 32 children younger than 13 years old who had been admitted toLoghman Hakim Poison Center, Tehran, Iran, due to opium poisoning, were evaluated for BLLs. Patients’demographics, symptoms, signs, and lab tests were evaluated as well as the BLLs.

The median and range of age in children with opium poisoning were 14 and 141 months withminimum and maximum age of 3 and 144 months, respectively, and 62.5% were boys. Their mean BLL was9.78 ± 3.44 μg/dl and in 70% of opium-poisoned children, BLL was ≥ 5 μg/dl. There was a significantdifference between mean BLLs in girls and boys (17.07 ± 6.57 μg/dl in girls and 6.61 ± 3.22 μg/dl in boys,P = 0.02). We found a significant correlation between BLL and hemoglobin (Hb) level. In very low Hb level(< 8 g/dl), the BLL was higher but with increasing Hb level, BLL increased as well; in Hb levels > 14 g/dl,BLL decreased again (P = 0.01).

Although none of the children needed chelation therapy, strategies should be developed toprevent children from being exposed to opium and other materials impregnated with lead regarding itseffects on all organs of children.