Interaction between anemia and blood levels of iron, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in children.

OBJECTIVE: Anemia is a widespread problem among infants and children in many parts of the world, and it is often associated with some trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead). Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anemia and these elements. METHODS: This research was performed on 256 children (mean age 6.8 +/- 0.2) living in Denizli city center. We observed iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 23 children, iron deficiency without anemia (ID) in 36 children and only anemia (ferritin level normal) (OA) in 18 children, and 179 children were found healthy and they were regarded as controls (C). Blood samples were taken from subjects and the concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, cadmium and lead in serum were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The levels of copper, cadmium and lead in serum were significantly higher in children with IDA than those of controls (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The other elements in the serum of ID were not different from controls. CONCLUSION: High copper, cadmium and lead decreased iron absorption and negatively affected hematological parameters

cadmium and lead in children

Objective. Anemia is a widespread problem among infants and children in many parts of the world, and it is often associated with some trace elements (iron, zinc, copper) and heavy metals (cadmium and lead). Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anemia and these elements.Methods. This research was performed on 256 children (mean age 6.8 +/- 0.2) living in Denizli city center. We observed iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in 23 children, iron deficiency without anemia (ID) in 36 children and only anemia (ferritin level normal) (OA) in 18 children, and 179 children were found healthy and they were regarded as controls (C). Blood samples were taken from subjects and the concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, cadmium and lead in serum were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results The levels of copper, cadmium and lead in serum were significantly higher in children with IDA than those of controls (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The other elements in the serum of ID were not different from controls.Conclusion. High copper, cadmium and lead decreased iron absorption and negatively affected hematological parameters

Experimental Models of Itch

International audiencePruritus can be defined as an unpleasant cutaneous sensation that leads to the need to scratch. This “umbrella definition” was proposed more than 360 years ago by the German physician Samuel Hafenreffer and does not describe the complexity of this phenomenon. Activation and control of pruritus may occur at different levels of the skin-brain connection1 like pruritoceptive itch, neurogenic itch, neuropathic itch and psychogenic itch. Because they are different types of pruritus, it is impossible to develop a “universal model of pruritus” and so, different categories of models, according to the purpose of the study, are available. It is obvious that no model is perfect. Each model exhibits advantages for a particular kind of study, and is also restricted by limitations that impede its use in other studies