Association Between Iron Deficiency and Low-Level Lead Poisoning in an Urban Primary Care Clinic.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between iron deficiency and low level lead poisoning. Methods: Data were collected in urban primary care clinic from 3650 children aged 9 to 48 months. Iron deficiency was defined as a red cell mean Cropuscular volume (MCV) of less than 70 fL and a red cell distribution width (RDW) of more than 14.5 in children younger than 2 years, and an MCV of' less than 73 fL and RDW of more than 14.5 in those 2 years or older. Results. After adjustment for age, hemoglobin concentration, and insurance status, the odds ratios for iron deficiency predicting blood lead levels greater than or equal to 5 μg/dL and greater than or equal 10μg/dL were 1.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.29, 2.04) and 1.44 (95% CI = 1.004, 2.05). Conclusions. Iron deficiency is significantly associated with low-level lead poisoning in children aged 9 to 48 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]