The relationship between childhood blood lead levels below 5 µg/dL and childhood intelligence quotient (IQ): Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The causal association between childhood lead (Pb) exposure and decrements in intelligence quotient (IQ) is well-established, and no safe blood lead level (BLL) in children has been identified. An international pooled analysis of seven prospective studies published by Lanphear et al. in 2005 quantified the relationship between childhood BLL and IQ. Further studies of Pb and IQ have been published more recently with mean BLLs generally lower than in the studies analyzed by Lanphear et al. In this article, we present the protocol for a systematic review to estimate an updated Pb-IQ relationship focusing on BLLs below 5 µg per deciliter (µg/dL).

Study question

What is the quantitative relationship between childhood BLLs and IQ at ages 3-17 years at BLLs below 5 μg/dL

SUBMITTER: Axelrad DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9896788 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature