An unknow risk group of lead poisoning: The gypsy children

The differences in average blood lead levels (PbB) between iron-deficient children of both gypsy and Caucasian origin were determined. PbB were assayed in 89 irondeficient children (Group ID): 25 gypsies and 64 Caucasians. Two sub-groups were established: sub-group ID1, 57 iron-deficent children without anaemia (11 gypsies, 46 Caucasians), and sub-group ID2, 32 children with iron deficiency anaemia (14 gypsies; 18 Caucasians). Group IS composed of 41 iron-sufficient children (11 gypsies and 30 Caucasians) served as controls. Blood counts, red-cell indices, serum iron concentrations, serum ferritin, and PbB were determined for the intire study population. The average PbB for gypsy and Caucasian iron-deficient children, were 14.25 and 7.25 g/dl (P<0.001) respectively. The prevalerence of iron-deficient children with toxic PbB (>20g/dl) was higher in gypsies (24%) than in Caucasians (1.5%) (P<0.001). A difference in average PbB between the two ethnic groups was also seen in children with normal iron metabolism (average PbB, 10.23 vs 5.65 g/dl for gypsies and Caucasians, respectively,P<0.001).Conclusion Gypsy children should be considered as a population group at risk of lead poisoning in our environment.