BACKGROUND We aimed to elucidate the relationship between environmental exposure to lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd) which were measured in blood and the kidney function of adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2017. Statistical procedures were performed to analyze the Korean population of adolescents aged 12-17 years. Regression analysis was performed, and covariates included age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and other heavy metal levels. RESULTS The median blood levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd were 1.165 μg/dL, 1.805 μg/L, and 0.304 μg/L, respectively. Adolescents with Pb levels in the highest quartile (> 1.454 μg/dL) had a 3.35 mL/min/1.73 m2-lower estimated glomerular filtration rate using creatinine (eGFRcr) (95% confidence interval (CI), -6.03 to -0.68 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared to those in the lowest quartile (< 0.856 μg/dL) in the unadjusted model. However, there was no association between the blood Pb level and eGFRcr in the adjusted model. Levels of Hg and Cd were not associated with eGFRcr in either model. High blood levels of all three heavy metals were not associated with the risk of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS There was no association between increased blood levels of Pb, Hg, and Cd; eGFRcr; and increased risk of hypertension in Korean adolescents who were exposed to relatively low levels of heavy metals.

中文翻译：

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环境暴露于铅、汞和镉与韩国青少年的肾功能异常无关。

背景 我们旨在阐明环境暴露于血液中的铅 (Pb)、汞 (Hg) 和镉 (Cd) 与青少年肾功能之间的关系。方法 使用 2010 年至 2017 年韩国国家健康和营养调查调查的数据进行横断面研究。进行统计程序以分析韩国 12-17 岁青少年人口。进行了回归分析，协变量包括年龄、性别、体重指数、吸烟状况和其他重金属水平。结果 Pb、Hg和Cd的中位血液水平分别为1.165 μg/dL、1.805 μg/L和0.304 μg/L。铅水平处于最高四分位数 (> 1.454 μg/dL) 的青少年的铅含量为 3.35 mL/min/1。使用肌酐 (eGFRcr) 估算的肾小球滤过率降低 73 m2（95% 置信区间 (CI)，-6.03 至 -0.68 mL/min/1.73 m2）与最低四分位数（< 0.856 μg/dL）相比未经调整的模型。然而，在调整后的模型中，血铅水平与 eGFRcr 之间没有关联。在任一模型中，Hg 和 Cd 水平均与 eGFRcr 无关。所有三种重金属的高血液水平与高血压风险无关。结论 血液中 Pb、Hg 和 Cd 水平升高之间没有关联。eGFRcr；暴露于相对低水平重金属的韩国青少年患高血压的风险增加。在调整后的模型中，血铅水平与 eGFRcr 之间没有关联。在任一模型中，Hg 和 Cd 水平均与 eGFRcr 无关。所有三种重金属的高血液水平与高血压风险无关。结论 血液中 Pb、Hg 和 Cd 水平升高之间没有关联。eGFRcr；暴露于相对低水平重金属的韩国青少年患高血压的风险增加。在调整后的模型中，血铅水平与 eGFRcr 之间没有关联。在任一模型中，Hg 和 Cd 水平均与 eGFRcr 无关。所有三种重金属的高血液水平与高血压风险无关。结论 血液中 Pb、Hg 和 Cd 水平升高之间没有关联。eGFRcr；暴露于相对低水平重金属的韩国青少年患高血压的风险增加。