EMERGING research highlights critical windows of susceptibility to lead exposure that may reduce antibody responses to childhood vaccines, raising concerns for immune health.
Exposure to lead during the perinatal period, especially in the first few weeks after birth, may impair children’s immune responses to routine vaccinations, according to a recent study. The findings point to specific windows of vulnerability during early life when lead exposure is associated with reduced antibody levels to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccines.
The study analyzed data from 271 children enrolled in the PROGRESS study. Lead exposure was measured weekly from 16 weeks before to 14 weeks after birth using dentine from deciduous teeth, which can act as a biomarker for early exposure. Antibody responses to MMR and DTP vaccines were assessed using a Luminex-multiplexed-microbead-array immunoassay.
Researchers identified two critical periods where lead exposure significantly affected vaccine response:
First 3 weeks postpartum: A two-fold increase in lead concentration was associated with a 4.3% reduction in anti-tetanus antibody levels.
Perinatal period (1 week before to 1 week after birth): Higher lead levels were linked to a 3.4% reduction in anti-diphtheria antibodies.
These findings underscore the importance of minimizing lead exposure during pregnancy and early infancy to protect immune function and support healthy vaccine responses in children.
Given the known risks of lead exposure on neurodevelopment, this study adds another layer of concern by showing that early-life lead exposure may also compromise vaccine-induced immunity. Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for lead exposure to impact vaccine efficacy, particularly in high-risk populations.
Reference: Colicino E et al. Identifying critical windows of susceptibility to perinatal lead exposure on child serum vaccine antibody levels. Am J Epidemiol. 2025;kwaf012.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
