P#09   Microelements in Belarus children with alopecia areata

N.A. Gres, A.N. Arynchyn, L.V. Tkachenko, O.O. Yanovich. Research Institute for Radiation Medicine and Endocrinology, Minsk, Belarus

Goal : To study content of essential and toxic microelements in blood and hair of Belarus children with alopecia areata (AA). Methods : Blood and hair levels of essential (Mn, K, Ca, Mg, Se, Fe) and toxic (Hg, Al, As, Pb) were studied in 160 patients (79 boys and 81 girls) aged 4-16 with AA. Neutron-activation method was used to determine microelements in hair and atomic-absorption method was used to analyze blood samples. All data was proceeded with nonparametric statistics. Results : It is well known, that Belarus has got serious environmental problems especially after the Chernobyl catastrophe. Pollution of soil and water with heavy metals is evident in the south regions of the republic and around glass plants. The largest cities are also severely polluted in a result of industrial activity and transportation. Analyzing hair content microelement deficiency was revealed as prevalent. Deficiency of Mn was found in 87% of children with AA, K - in 69%, Ca - in 62%, Mg - in 50%, Se and Fe - in 25%. Excess of toxic metals was revealed in 30% of children with AA. The most significant was excess of Hg (18%), Al (13%) and As (19%) in hair of examined children. Blood lead (Pb) exceeded permissible level (>0.1 mg/l) in 65% of children with AA. Moreover, in 10% of them blood lead level was 5-8 times higher than 0.1 mg/l. Moderate Hg excess in blood was found in up to 60% of children. Iron and copper deficiency was revealed in 50% of children with AA, zinc deficiency - in 37% (P<0.05). Conclusion : Deficiency of several essential microelements was found in hair and blood of children with AA together with significant excess of some toxic metals. This effect could be called as a "scissor effect" and could be estimated as a possible etiopathogenetic factor of AA in children.