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Lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium content in hair of children and young people with some neurological diseases

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Abstract

The lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium levels of scalp hair taken from 153 children aged 1–15 yr and young people (16–18 yr) with selected neurological disorders (hyperexcibility, loss of consciousness, and epileptiform convulsions of an unknown origin, etc.), were measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry method and then compared with a control group of healthy children (n=108). The research indicated significantly reduced mean levels of magnesium in the hair of children suffering from selected neurological diseases (in children aged 11–15 yr of age, above 30%; up to 5 yr of age, nearly 30%; the differences were statistically significant at p<0.05) and slightly decreased mean levels of copper (differences statistically significant at p<0.05, particularly in the 11 to 15-yr category). Differences in zinc levels in hair were inconsiderable (not statistically significant in any age groups). The lead level in the hair of the above-mentioned group of children was exceeded in relation to the control group (a statistically significant difference at p<0.05 for the total group). A more than twofold decrease in the mean value of the Mg/Pb ratio (and a nearly 30% decrease in the value of the Mg/Zn ratio) in the hair of children suffering from neurological diseases suggests that the high toxicity of lead accompanying, among other things, magnesium deficiencies might be a cause of the observed disorders in children.

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  1. Institute of Forensic Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033, Kraków, Poland

    Teresa Lech

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  1. Teresa Lech
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Lech, T. Lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium content in hair of children and young people with some neurological diseases. Biol Trace Elem Res 85, 111–126 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:85:2:111

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/BTER:85:2:111

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