Blood Lead Alters The Anemia Status of Malaria Infected Children in Katanga Kampala Uganda (original) (raw)

Abstract

Background: Uganda, like other malaria endemic countries, childhood anemia due to malaria infection, malnutrition and social disadvantages remains a health challenge. Other contributing factors towards the pathogenesis of this disease like blood lead have not been fully explored. Persistent lead exposure accounts for one’s blood lead levels and other many health outcomes. Recent studies report elevated environmental lead levels in urban Uganda with anthropogenic activities including leaded paints, leaded fuels spillages, lead-contaminated air, water and soils listed as major sources. Blood lead (BL) alters iron bioavailability by competitively blocking iron absorption hence anemia. BL inhibits key enzymes ferrochelatase and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) involved in hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis resulting into elevated free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP). Children in this area are generally anemic due chronic exposure to malaria parasites that thrive on their red blood cell...

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