Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya

Geoffrey Omuse; Daniel Maina; Maureene Ondayo; Syama Sinuff; Stanley Onyango; Alex Mugo; Pauline Samia; William Macharia

doi:10.1177/2333794X241263162

Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya

Geoffrey Omuse, Daniel Maina, Maureene Ondayo, Syama Sinuff, Stanley Onyango, Alex Mugo, Pauline Samia, William Macharia

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Abstract

Background. Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs. Methodology. This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis. Results. Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin (r_s(211) = −0.147, P =.032). Conclusion. Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects.

Original language	English
Journal	Global Pediatric Health
Volume	11
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X241263162
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2024

Keywords

anemia
hemoglobin
iron deficiency
lead

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10.1177/2333794X241263162

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title = "Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya",

abstract = "Background. Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs. Methodology. This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis. Results. Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin (rs(211) = −0.147, P =.032). Conclusion. Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects.",

keywords = "anemia, hemoglobin, iron deficiency, lead",

author = "Geoffrey Omuse and Daniel Maina and Maureene Ondayo and Syama Sinuff and Stanley Onyango and Alex Mugo and Pauline Samia and William Macharia",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2024.",

year = "2024",

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doi = "10.1177/2333794X241263162",

language = "English",

volume = "11",

journal = "Global Pediatric Health",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya

AU - Omuse, Geoffrey

AU - Maina, Daniel

AU - Ondayo, Maureene

AU - Sinuff, Syama

AU - Onyango, Stanley

AU - Mugo, Alex

AU - Samia, Pauline

AU - Macharia, William

PY - 2024/1/1

Y1 - 2024/1/1

N2 - Background. Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs. Methodology. This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis. Results. Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin (rs(211) = −0.147, P =.032). Conclusion. Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects.

AB - Background. Childhood lead exposure from recycling used lead-acid batteries (ULAB) in unregulated areas is a significant cause of lead toxicity, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the proportion of children with increased blood lead levels (BLLs) in an informal settlement where ULAB recycling occurs. Methodology. This was a descriptive study conducted in Nairobi county, Kenya. Children aged 6 months to 7 years were recruited after obtaining written informed consent, completion of a questionnaire and collection of samples for complete blood count, ferritin, and lead analysis. Results. Out of 215 children, 17 (8.0%) had BLLs ≥ 5 μg/dL. There was a weak negative correlation between BLLs and ferritin (rs(211) = −0.147, P =.032). Conclusion. Our study confirms the presence of increased BLLs in children residing in the study area. Relevant authorities should legislate on safe ULAB disposal to protect the population from toxic effects.

KW - anemia

KW - hemoglobin

KW - iron deficiency

KW - lead

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U2 - 10.1177/2333794X241263162

DO - 10.1177/2333794X241263162

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85200205144

SN - 2333-794X

VL - 11

JO - Global Pediatric Health

JF - Global Pediatric Health

ER -

Assessment of Ferritin and Lead Levels in Children Living in an Informal Urban Settlement in Kenya

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Keywords

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