Relationships between blood lead concentrations, intelligence, and academic achievement of Saudi Arabian schoolgirls

This cross-sectional study examined the association between blood lead levels and neuropsychological and behavioural problems of 533 schoolgirls (6-12 years of age) who attended public schools in Riyadh, Capital of Saudi Arabia. Regression models were used to determine the best predictors of Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudi-based scores and rank percentile. The mean blood lead level was 8.11 ± 3.50 μg/dl in the range of 2.3 to 27.36 μg/dl. Significant negative associations were noted between blood lead levels and Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores as well as rank percentile. Lead had no effect on TONI Saudi-based standard scores. Beery VMI Saudi-based standard scores, TONI Saudibased standard scores and rank percentiles were inversely related to pupils with blood lead levels > 9 μg/dl. These findings attest an association between neuropsychological and behavioural impairment and lead exposure at blood lead levels in the range of 9.02 to 27.36 μg/dl. The results of this study should be seriously considered by public health authorities to give more attention to this pediatric health problem. All rights reserved © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.