Blood Lead Levels in Children From a Non-industrial Urban Area in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between blood lead level (BLL) and clinical outcomes among children aged 1 to 5 years in a non-industrial urban setting. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jakarta, involving 105 hospitalized children. Data were obtained from caregiver interviews, medical record reviews, and venous BLL testing. The mean BLL was 2.0 ug/dl (95% confidence interval [1.48, 2.67]), with 20% of children having levels above 5.0 µg/dL, and two children exceeding 10.0 µg/dL. No acute lead poisoning cases were identified. Anemia and malnutrition were observed in 31.5% and 17.1% of participants, respectively. Female children and those with less-educated mothers had higher odds of elevated BLL, though associations were not statistically significant. Logistic regression showed no significant link between elevated BLL and lead-related diagnoses, growth delays, anemia, or malnutrition. Despite this, the findings highlight a hidden burden of lead exposure in children from urban non-industrial areas. These results support the need for routine BLL screening, caregiver education on household lead risks, and strengthened community monitoring to reduce early-life exposure in similar settings.