Recent research has suggested that children with a moderate increase in body burden of lead, although clinically asymptomatic, may be subject to impaired mental development. This study investigated the relationship between low-level lead absorption and mild and borderline mental retardation, and evaluated the relationships among nutrient minerals, heavy metals, and increased lead burdens. Hair trace-mineral concentrations were compared in a group of retarded children with a non-retarded control group. The retarded group had significantly raised hair-lead concentrations. There were also differences in the mean levels of six nutrient minerals. Further, there were indications that lead and other toxic metals occur together in the retarded. It is concluded that continuing research is needed to study the relationship between retardation and lead burdens.
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