Childhood Correlates of Blood Lead Levels in Mumbai and Delhi

BACKGROUND: Lead exposure has previously been associated with intellectual impairment in children in a number of international studies. In India, it has been reported that nearly half of the children have elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). However, little is known about risk factors for these elevated BLLs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from the Indian National Family Health Survey, a population-based study conducted in 1998–1999. We assessed potential correlates of BLLs in 1,081 children who were < 3 years of age and living in Mumbai or Delhi, India. We examined factors such as age, sex, religion, caste, mother’s education, standard of living, breast-feeding, and weight/height percentile. RESULTS: Most children (76%) had BLLs between 5 and 20 μg/dL. Age, standard of living, weight/height percentile, and total number of children ever born to the mother were significantly associated with BLLs (log transformed) in multivariate regression models. Compared with children ≤3 months of age, children 4–11 and 12–23 month of age had 84 and 146% higher BLLs, respectively (p < 0.001). A low standard of living correlated with a 32.3% increase in BLLs (p = 0.02). Children greater than the 95th percentile for their weight/height had 31% (p = 0.03) higher BLLs compared with those who were below the 5th percentile for their weight/height. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found various factors correlated with elevated BLLs in children. The correlation between greater than the 95th percentile weight/height and higher BLL may reflect an impact of lead exposure on body habitus. Our study may help in targeting susceptible populations and identifying correctable factors for elevated BLLs in Mumbai and Delhi

Clinical characteristics of children with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) admitted in a single institution

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics of children diagnosed with the novel influenza A (H1N1) in the winter of 2009 at a single medical institution.MethodsOut of 545 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) in children, using the real time RT-PCR method at Kosin University Gospel Hospital from September to December of 2009, 149 patients and their medical records were reviewed in terms of symptoms, laboratory findings, complications and transmission within a family.ResultsMedian age of subjects was 7 years (range: 2 months-18 years). New cases increased rapidly from September to reach a peak in November, then declined rapidly. Most frequently observed symptoms were fever (96.7%), cough (73.2%), rhinorrhea (36.9%) and sore throat (31.5%). Average body temperatures on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd hospital day were 38.75±0.65℃, 38.08±0.87℃ and 37.51±0.76℃, respectively. Complete blood counts and biochemical tests performed on the first admission day showed within the reference values in most cases. Of the 82 patients with simple chest radiography, 18 (22%) had pneumonic lesions; multi-focal bronchopneumonia in eleven, single or multi-segmental lobar pneumonia in five, and diffuse interstitial pneumonia in two patients. All of the 149 patients improved from their symptoms and discharged within 9 days of admission without any late complication.ConclusionChildren with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) at our single institution displayed nonspecific symptoms and laboratory findings, resembling those of common viral respiratory illnesses, and did not appear to develop more severe disease

Arthritis disability and heart disease disability

Objective Arthritis is the most common health condition in midlife and late life, and heart disease is the leading cause of death. This article compares disability impacts of these 2 preeminent health problems. Methods Using data from the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement, we studied specific limitations and disabilities, accommodations used (buffers), and accommodations needed (barriers) for US population groups of adults with arthritis disability, heart disease disability, both arthritis and heart disease disability, and disability due to other conditions. Weights and complex SE adjusted for sample design. We hypothesized that arthritis disability is more extensive and troublesome than heart disease disability. Results People with arthritis disability had more numerous, longer, and more bothersome disabilities than people with heart disease disability. People with arthritis disability used more equipment and rehabilitation, whereas people with heart disease disability emphasized personal assistance, medications, and medical services. People with arthritis disability experienced more barriers and needs in activities and services. People with disabilities from both arthritis and heart disease were especially disadvantaged, with high levels of limitations and accommodations. People with disability from other conditions had the highest social participation, fewest disabilities, and most tailored accommodations of all groups. Conclusion Arthritis had higher and more extensive disability impact than heart disease. Both groups had more difficulty, buffers, and barriers in their lives than people disabled by other conditions. Therefore, arthritis and heart disease are premier conditions for disability attention and alleviation in the US population.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61217/1/24107_ftp.pd

Social disparities in exposures to bisphenol A and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals: a cross-sectional study within NHANES 2003-2006

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bisphenol A (BPA) and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFCs) are suspected endocrine disrupting compounds known to be ubiquitous in people's bodies. Population disparities in exposure to these chemicals have not been fully characterized.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using multivariable linear regression we examined the association between urinary concentrations of BPA, serum concentrations of four PFCs, and multiple measures of socioeconomic position (SEP): family income, education, occupation, and food security. We also examined associations with race/ethnicity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All four PFCs were positively associated with family income, whereas BPA was inversely associated with family income. BPA concentrations were higher in people who reported very low food security and received emergency food assistance than in those who did not. This association was particularly strong in children: 6-11 year-olds whose families received emergency food had BPA levels 54% higher (95% CI, 13 to 112%) than children of families who did not. For BPA and PFCs we saw smaller and less consistent associations with education and occupation. Mexican Americans had the lowest concentrations of any racial/ethnic group of both types of chemicals; for PFCs, Mexican Americans not born in the U.S. had much lower levels than those born in the U.S.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>People with lower incomes had higher body burdens of BPA; the reverse was true for PFCs. Family income with adjustment for family size was the strongest predictor of chemical concentrations among the different measures of SEP we studied. Income, education, occupation, and food security appear to capture different aspects of SEP that may be related to exposure to BPA and PFCs and are not necessarily interchangeable as measures of SEP in environmental epidemiology studies. Differences by race/ethnicity were independent of SEP.</p

Incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease Over Time: A Meta-Analysis

Background/Objectives: Population-based incidence estimates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) provide important information for public health policy and resource allocation. We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies that reported age-specific incidence rates of dementia and AD to determine whether dementia and AD incidence rates are changing over time. Design: PubMed and MEDLINE were searched for publications through June 30, 2017 using keywords dementia, Alzheimer, and incidence. Inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis are: (1) population-based studies using personal interviews and direct examinations of the study subjects, (2) Standardized clinical diagnosis criteria, (3) Reporting age-specific incidence rates, (4) Published in English, and (5) Sample size greater or equal to 500 and length of follow-up greater or equal than two years. Mixed effects models were used to determine the association between birth year and incidence rates. Measurements: Age-specific dementia/AD incidence rates and their standard errors reported in each study. Results: Thirty-eight articles with 53 cohorts on dementia incidence and 31 articles with 35 cohorts on AD incidence met the inclusion criteria. There were significant associations between later birth years and decreased dementia incidence rates in all three age groups (65-74, 75-84 and 85+). There were no significant associations between birth year and AD incident rates in any of the three age groups. In particular, AD incidence rates reported from Western countries stayed steady in all age groups while studies in non-Western countries showed significantly increased AD incidence rates for the 65-74 age group (OR=2.78, p=0.04), but non-significant association for the 75-84 or 85+ groups. Conclusion: Dementia incidence declined over the last four decades, but AD incidence did not decline. Further research, especially from non-Western countries, is needed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the trends in dementia and AD incidence over time

Transferrin saturation ratio and risk of total and cardiovascular mortality in the general population.

peer-reviewedThe transferrin saturation (TSAT) ratio is a commonly used indicator of iron deficiency and iron overload in clinical practice but precise relationships with total and cardiovascular mortality are unclear.Purpose: To better understand this relationship, we explored the association of TSAT ratio (serum iron/total iron binding capacity) with mortality in the general population.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe