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EFFECTS OF LOW TO MODERATE LEAD EXPOSURE ON BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS IN CHILDREN
Citation:
Robinson, G., S. Baumann, D. Kleinbaum, C. Barton, AND S. Schroeder. EFFECTS OF LOW TO MODERATE LEAD EXPOSURE ON BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS IN CHILDREN. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/D-85/157 (NTIS PB85237766).
Description:
Complex auditory processing deficits have been reported in children with asymptomatic lead (Pb) exposure (1,2) as well as acute Pb poisoning (3). Hearing thresholds have not been systematically evaluated in Pb exposed children, although hearing impairments have been observed in Pb workers (4). Hearing thresholds and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) have been assessed in two groups of North Carolina children with blood lead (PbB) levels ranging from 6 to 59 micrograms/dl. Linear increases in latencies of BAEP waves III and V relative to PbB levels obtained five years earlier were found in 49 children aged 6 to 12 years old (5). Results of audiometric screening and BAEP testing in an independent group of children aged 4 to 7 years will be described below.