A Systematic Assessment of Blood Lead Level in Children and Associated Risk Factors in China

In this study, we searched multiple databases for all relevant original articles (1996-2013). To investigate blood lead levels (BLL) and possible risk factors for lead exposure among children in China A total of 388 articles met our inclusion criteria. The overall geometric mean (GM) BLL was 71 μg/L, and the prevalence of elevated BLL (EBLL, defined as BLL ≥100 μg/L) was 18.48% among children. The prevalence of EBLL remained significantly higher among boys. In children less than 6 years of age, there were significantly increasing trends in both BLL and prevalence of EBLL in an age-dependent manner. The ban on leaded gasoline significantly reduced the BLL as well as EBLL prevalence; however, children whose parents had lower educational levels or were exposed to lead in the workplace had a higher EBLL prevalence. Despite its decline over time, the average BLL among children in China remains higher than the average level most recently reported in the United States. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Associated risk factors in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy

Background:To investigate the retinal capillary density(RCD)of the macula using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCT-A)in type 2 diabetic patients and to further determine the association with risk factors.Methods:A total of 212 eyes from 212 subjects were recruited;subjects included diabetics with no retinopathy(NDR,n=90 eyes),diabetics with mild retinopathy DR(MDR,n=36 eyes),and healthy participants(Control,n=86 eyes).All participants underwent OCT-A scanning.RCD was quantified by superficial and deep retinal capillary layers(SRCL and DRCL)from OCT-A images.Results:RCD in SRCL and DRCL was lower in NDR(P<0.001)as well as in MDR(P<0.001)when compared with control eyes.Diabetic patients were subdivided according to individual risk factors,complications related to diabetes,and hyperglycemia.Diabetic patients showed lower RCD in both the SRCL and DRCL when compared with healthy controls.Diabetics with age>55y,HbA1c>7%had significantly reduced DRCL(P<0.05)when compared with the other group of diabetics(age<55y,HbA1c<7%).Diabetics with a blood urea nitrogen(BUN)>8.2 mmol/L had significantly reduced SRCL and DRCL when compared to the other group of diabetics.Conclusions:Risk factors including older age,higher level of HbA1c,LDL-C and BUN,were associated with lower RCDs found in type 2 diabetic patients with and without mild DR by OCT-A.The impairment of retinal capillary by OCT-A may play a key role in the early monitoring of management in diabetes.