Blood Lead Levels and Vitamin D, Calcium, and Magnesium Status in Children and Young Adults in Western Georgia
TL;DR
Higher BLLs were associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in both age groups, with a stronger association in children, and further investigation of nutritional factors alongside environmental lead exposure, particularly in children is supported.
Abstract
Background: Lead exposure remains an important environmental health concern, particularly in children. Nutritional factors may modify lead absorption and metabolism, but data on the relationship between blood lead levels and vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium status remain limited in Georgia. Objective: To examine the relationship between blood lead levels (BLLs) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], calcium, and magnesium concentrations in children and young adults living in Western Georgia. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 429 participants examined between January 2018 and March 2025: 281 children aged <18 years and 148 young adults aged ≥18 years. BLLs were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Serum 25(OH)D was measured by immunofluorescence, while calcium and magnesium were determined using colorimetric methods. Associations between BLLs and micronutrient concentrations were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results: BLLs ≥5 µg/dL were detected in 148 of 281 children (52.7%) and 69 of 148 young adults (46.6%). Serum 25(OH)D concentrations <30 ng/mL were present in 56.6% of children and 77.7% of young adults. BLLs were inversely correlated with 25(OH)D concentrations in both groups, with a stronger association in children (ρ = −0.48, p < 0.01) than in young adults (ρ = −0.29, p < 0.01). In children, weaker inverse correlations were also observed between BLLs and calcium (ρ = −0.25, p < 0.05) and magnesium (ρ = −0.21, p < 0.05); these associations were not statistically significant in young adults. Serum 25(OH)D and magnesium concentrations were positively correlated in both groups. Conclusion: Higher BLLs were associated with lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in both age groups, with a stronger association in children. Additional inverse associations with calcium and magnesium were observed only in the pediatric group. These findings support further investigation of nutritional factors alongside environmental lead exposure, particularly in children.