Early Lead Exposure and Pubertal Development in a Mexico City Population

The study investigated the impact of early lead exposure on pubertal development in a cohort of 756 children from Mexico City. It found that higher prenatal and early-life lead exposure was associated with delayed pubertal onset in girls, specifically delayed breast maturation, pubic hair growth, and later age at menarche. No significant associations were observed in boys. These findings suggested that lead exposure could disrupt endocrine function, particularly in females, and underscored the importance of minimizing lead exposure to protect children's developmental health. The study was supported by multiple grants from the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and other organizations.