Table 4 Association of blood heavy metal concentrations with the health status of children.

From: Association of blood heavy metals with developmental delays and health status in children

Variables

All children (n = 178)

Lead (μg/dL)

Mercury (μg/L)

Cadmium (μg/L)

HRQOL: PedsQL

 Physical health

−0.53 (−1.04 to −0.02)*

0.06 (−0.13 to 0.25)

1.02 (−1.48 to 3.52)

 Psychosocial health

−0.47 (−0.92 to −0.01)*

0.13 (−0.04 to 0.30)

0.99 (−1.22 to 3.19)

 Total health

−0.48 (−0.92 to −0.04)*

0.11 (−0.05 to 0.28)

1.02 (−1.13 to 3.18)

Function: PODCI

 Upper extremity and physical functioning

0.16 (−0.27 to 0.59)

0.06 (−0.06 to 0.19)

0.88 (−0.78 to 2.55)

 Transfer and basic mobility

−0.03 (−0.39 to 0.32)

0.03 (−0.07 to 0.13)

0.39 (−0.97 to 1.76)

 Sports and physical functioning

−0.22 (−0.64 to 0.21)

0.05 (−0.08 to 0.17)

0.43 (−1.21 to 2.06)

 Pain and comfort

−0.09 (−0.56 to 0.37)

−0.06 (−0.19 to 0.07)

−1.59 (−3.38 to 0.21)+

 Happiness

−0.42 (−0.87 to 0.04)+

0.08 (−0.05 to 0.22)

0.22 (−1.56 to 2.01)

 Global functioning

−0.15 (−1.64 to 1.33)

0.03 (−0.09 to 0.15)

−0.23 (−2.15 to 1.70)

  1. HRQOL: health-related quality of life; PedsQL: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales; PODCI: Pediatric.
  2. Outcomes Data Collection Instrument.
  3. Values are expressed as β (95% CI). β, regression coefficient; CI, confidence interval.
  4. Adjusted for age, sex, the number of gestational weeks, parity order, the mother’s educational level, and other blood metals. +0.05 ≤ P < 0.1. *P < 0.05.
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