BackgroundAnemia is a health problem among infants and children. It is often associated with a decrease in some trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) and an increase in heavy metals as lead. This study was done to determine the association of blood lead level > 10 μg/dl, with the increased risk to anemia, also, to investigate the relationship between anemia and changes in blood iron, zinc and copper levels, and measure lead level in drinking water.The study is a cross-sectional performed on 60 children. Venous blood samples were taken from the studied population for estimating hematological parameters as well as iron and ferritin levels. The concentrations of zinc, copper, and lead were measured. The studied population was divided into anemic and non-anemic (control) groups. The anemic group was further classified into mild, moderate and severe anemia. The study subjects were also categorized into low and high blood lead level groups.FindingsApproximately 63.33% of children had blood lead levels ≥ 10 μg/dl. At the blood lead level range of 10-20 μg/dl, a significant association was found for mild and severe anemia. The blood level of iron and ferritin was found to be significantly lower in high blood lead level and anemic groups than those of the low blood lead level and control groups. Lead level in drinking water was higher than the permissible limit.ConclusionLead level ≥ 10 μg/dl was significantly associated with anemia, decreased iron absorption and hematological parameters affection. High blood lead levels were associated with low serum iron and ferritin. Lead level in drinking water was found to be higher than the permissible limits.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a high prevalence of vascular calcifications, and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in this population. Magnesium (Mg) depletion may be the missing link between multiple cardiovascular risk factors and the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between serum Mg levels and vascular stiffness in children with CKD on regular hemodialysis (HD). The study included 25 children with CKD on regular HD in our center; the study included also 25 healthy children age-and sex-matched as a control group. Serum Mg levels were measured, and Doppler ultrasound assessment of the intima-media thickness (IMT) and the peak systolic velocities (PSVs) of the main arteries including the (aorta, carotid, and femoral) arteries were recorded in the study patients. There were significantly lower serum Mg levels in children on regular HD than in the controls (1.7 ± 0.43 mg/dL vs. 2.31 ± 0.12 mg/dL, respectively, P = 0.001). There was a significant increase in the aorta and carotid IMT in the study group than in the controls (0.45 ± 0.07 mm vs. 0.40 ± 0.09 mm; 0.98 ± 0.57 mm vs. 0.55 ± 0.1 mm, P = 0.034 and 0.001, respectively), whereas there were no significant differences regarding the PSV of the carotid, aorta, and femoral arteries between the study patients and the controls (P >0.05). A negative correlation was found between serum Mg level with aortic IMT (AIMT) (r = -0.682; P = 0.000). In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the AIMT with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.447, P = 0.025, 0.472, P = 0.017), respectively. We conclude that lower serum Mg levels were associated with vascular calcification in chronic HD children. Confirmation of our results warrants further study.

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