Iron Metabolism Genes and Blood Lead Levels in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Marianne R. Hopkins, A. S. Ettinger, Mauricio Hernández-Avila, Joel Schwartz, Martha María Téllez-Rojo, Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa, David Bellinger, Howard Hu, Robert O. Wright
Primary Institution: Harvard School of Public Health
Hypothesis
Variants in iron metabolism genes would predict higher blood lead levels in young children.
Conclusion
Iron metabolism gene variants modify lead metabolism such that HFE variants are associated with increased blood lead levels in young children.
Supporting Evidence
- Carriers of HFE variants had blood lead levels 11% higher than wild-type subjects.
- Subjects carrying both HFE and TF variants had blood lead levels 50% higher than wild-type subjects.
- Those with either HFE or TF variant had significantly higher odds of having a blood lead level ≥ 10 μg/dL.
Takeaway
Some kids have genes that make them absorb more lead from the environment, which can be bad for their health.
Methodology
The study examined the association between common missense variants in the HFE and TF genes and blood lead levels in 422 Mexican children using genotyping and longitudinal blood lead measurements.
Potential Biases
Potential for misclassification of genotype and residual confounding due to observational study design.
Limitations
The study sample was limited to a homogeneous group of Mexican children, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Mexican children from low- to middle-income families.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.006
Confidence Interval
1.9–177.1
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website