Early-life low lead levels and academic achievement in childhood and adolescence

JAMA Network Open

2025-05-28

(Press-News.org) About The Study: In this cohort study assessing early life low lead level and children’s and adolescents’ academic achievement, a 1-unit increase in lead levels in the range currently considered low for further interventions was associated with worse academic performance throughout school grades comparable to that for lead levels in the range recommended for additional interventions. These findings support the need to reconsider and potentially lower current blood lead reference values for recommending further interventions.

Corresponding author: To contact the corresponding author, George L. Wehby, M.P.H., Ph.D., email george-wehby@uiowa.edu.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.12796)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

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Early-life low lead levels and academic achievement in childhood and adolescence

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