Lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium content in hair of children and young people with some neurological diseases

The lead, copper, zinc, and magnesium levels of scalp hair taken from 153 children aged 1-15 yr and young people (16-18 yr) with selected neurological disorders (hyperexcibility, loss of consciousness, and epileptiform convulsions of an unknown origin, etc.), were measured using the atomic absorption spectrometry method and then compared with a control group of healthy children (n = 108). The research indicated significantly reduced mean levels of magnesium in the hair of children suffering from selected neurological diseases (in children aged 11-15 yr of age, above 30%; up to 5 yr of age, nearly 30%; the differences were statistically significant at p < 0.05) and slightly decreased mean levels of copper (differences statistically significant at p < 0.05, particularly in the 11 to 15-yr category). Differences in zinc levels in hair were inconsiderable (not statistically significant in any age groups). The lead level in the hair of the above-mentioned group of children was exceeded in relation to the control group (a statistically significant difference at p < 0.05 for the total group). A more than twofold decrease in the mean value of the Mg/Pb ratio (and a nearly 30% decrease in the value of the Mg/Zn ratio) in the hair of children suffering from neurological diseases suggests that the high toxicity of lead accompanying, among other things, magnesium deficiencies might be a cause of the observed disorders in children.