Staff Members - Benha University
Assessment of hair content of some heavy metals in children with mental retardation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Tanta Medical Journal • 2000
Publication Information
Authors
Nazeeh M Elnady, Mohamed M Rashad, Sameer M Abolmagd, Nour-Eldeen Ameen & Adel K Khodyer
Keywords
Hair content of heavy metals, mental retardation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Journal
Tanta Medical Journal
Publisher
Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University
Volume
28
Issue
1
Pages
97-104
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Abstract
Hair samples of 25 children with mild mental subnormality, 25 children with moderate mental subnormality and 25 children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophometry for determination of their content of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). The results were compared with hair content of the studied metals of 75 healthy children. A highly significant increase in lead scalp hair content was observed in both groups of mental retardation (MR) and in ADHD group when compared to controls. No difference was observed regarding the other metals between different groups. A negative correlation was found between hair Pb and Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Also, a positive correlation between scalp hair lead and total aggression score was discovered. Conclusion: Both mentally retarded & ADHD children have more Pb content than controls. Monitoring scalp hair metals content provides a valuable screening method for assessment of environmental pollution in children.
Hair samples of 25 children with mild mental subnormality, 25 children with moderate mental subnormality and 25 children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophometry for determination of their content of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). The results were compared with hair content of the studied metals of 75 healthy children. A highly significant increase in lead scalp hair content was observed in both groups of mental retardation (MR) and in ADHD group when compared to controls. No difference was observed regarding the other metals between different groups. A negative correlation was found between hair Pb and Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Also, a positive correlation between scalp hair lead and total aggression score was discovered. Conclusion: Both mentally retarded & ADHD children have more Pb content than controls. Monitoring scalp hair metals content provides a valuable screening method for assessment of environmental pollution in children.