A Survey of Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women attending two Public Prenatal Clinics in Nairobi City, Kenya
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Date
2009
Authors
Odhiambo, Owago* Joshua
Murungi, Jane
Lang’at-Thoruwa, Caroline
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Marsland Press
Abstract
Exposure to lead remains an under-recognized public health problem in the developing countries such as
Kenya despite well documented toxic effects of the metal at elevated blood levels. The objective of the
study was to measure the blood lead levels in pregnant women of Nairobi city so as to assess the extent of
exposure of the subjects to the toxic heavy metal and to evaluate the toxicological significance of the
findings. Blood lead levels (BLLs) of 223 women in Nairobi City: 152 from Eastleigh Clinic and 71 from
Pumwani maternity hospital were examined. The two public hospitals serve mainly disadvantaged
communities. Overall BLLs ranged from non-detectable (nd) or zero to 295.0 μg dL-1. Women from
Eastleigh clinic had slightly higher mean BLL than those from Pumwani (29.5μg dL-1 vs 25.9μg dL-1) but
Student t-test found no significant difference between them (t-stat=0.80; df=186; p>0.05). The blood lead
levels were above typically cited as average and may pose threat to the mothers and fetuses, as 70.4 %
samples had values greater than 10 μg dL -1 (the US Centers for Disease Control cut off level for raised
blood lead level in children and pregnant women). Clearly this work gives additional urgency to Kenyan
efforts to reduce and prevent lead exposure to her population and provides a rationale for deeper
investigation to identify sources of exposure in the country. A periodic surveillance of blood lead levels
in vulnerable individuals such as children, pregnant women and occupationally exposed individuals is
advocated.[Journal of American Science 2009:5(3) 41-51] ( ISSN: 1545-1003)
Description
article
Keywords
Blood lead levels, pregnant women, health risk, Nairobi City
Citation
Odhiambo, O.J., Murungi, J., Lang'at-Thorwa, C. (2009). A Survey of Blood Lead Levels in Pregnant Women attending two Public Prenatal Clinics in Nairobi City, Kenya, 51.