Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Eugene Ohams Ohanme; Uzochukwu Ofonakara; Aisha Attahiru; Ifeanyi Emmanuel Obi; Mansur Aliyu Ramalan; Benjamin Nwafocha Nwakelu; Matthew Onyemaechi Nwokike; Johna Azubuike Ekenjoku; Emmanuel Ogbuagu; Godwin Christian Akuodor

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Review Article
Online Published: 08 Oct 2026

J Med Res Rev. 2026; 5(4): 187-203

doi: 10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Eugene Ohams Ohanme, Uzochukwu Ofonakara, Aisha Attahiru, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Obi, Mansur Aliyu Ramalan, Benjamin Nwafocha Nwakelu, Matthew Onyemaechi Nwokike, Johna Azubuike Ekenjoku, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, Godwin Christian Akuodor.

Abstract
Background: Lead poisoning remains a major environmental and public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in communities involved in artisanal and small-scale mining activities. Persistent environmental contamination has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality, especially among vulnerable populations such as children. Objective: This study systematically reviewed evidence on sources of exposure, clinical manifestations, environmental contamination, and pharmacological interventions for lead poisoning in Nigerian communities. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies involving human populations exposed to lead in Nigeria were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Due to substantial heterogeneity among studies, narrative synthesis was adopted instead of meta-analysis. Twenty-eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review. Results: Soil ingestion was identified as the predominant exposure pathway, accounting for 50% of exposure routes, followed by inhalation (25%), water contamination (15%), and food contamination (10%). Mean blood lead levels declined from 120 µg/dL in 2010 to 50 µg/dL in 2022, representing a 58.3% reduction; however, levels remained substantially above recommended thresholds. Clinical manifestations included neurological impairment, anemia, renal dysfunction, and hypertension. Chelation therapy using dimercaptosuccinic acid and calcium disodium EDTA effectively reduced blood lead levels but demonstrated limitations in reversing established neurological damage. Conclusion: Lead poisoning in Nigeria remains primarily environmentally driven. Although pharmacological interventions improve acute outcomes, sustainable control requires integrated approaches involving environmental remediation, regulatory enforcement, surveillance, and community-based prevention strategies.

Key words: Lead poisoning, Nigeria, artisanal mining, chelation therapy, environmental health,

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Ohanme EO, Ofonakara U, Attahiru A, Obi IE, Ramalan MA, Nwakelu BN, Nwokike MO, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu E, Akuodor GC. Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. J Med Res Rev. 2026; 5(4): 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Web Style

Ohanme EO, Ofonakara U, Attahiru A, Obi IE, Ramalan MA, Nwakelu BN, Nwokike MO, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu E, Akuodor GC. Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. https://www.wisdomgale.com/jmrr/?mno=316544 [Access: October 15, 2026].

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Ohanme EO, Ofonakara U, Attahiru A, Obi IE, Ramalan MA, Nwakelu BN, Nwokike MO, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu E, Akuodor GC. Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. J Med Res Rev. 2026; 5(4): 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Ohanme EO, Ofonakara U, Attahiru A, Obi IE, Ramalan MA, Nwakelu BN, Nwokike MO, Ekenjoku JA, Ogbuagu E, Akuodor GC. Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. J Med Res Rev. (2026), [cited October 15, 2026]; 5(4): 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Harvard Style

Ohanme, E. O., Ofonakara, . U., Attahiru, . A., Obi, . I. E., Ramalan, . M. A., Nwakelu, . B. N., Nwokike, . M. O., Ekenjoku, . J. A., Ogbuagu, . E. & Akuodor, . G. C. (2026) Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. J Med Res Rev, 5 (4), 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Turabian Style

Ohanme, Eugene Ohams, Uzochukwu Ofonakara, Aisha Attahiru, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Obi, Mansur Aliyu Ramalan, Benjamin Nwafocha Nwakelu, Matthew Onyemaechi Nwokike, Johna Azubuike Ekenjoku, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, and Godwin Christian Akuodor. 2026. Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Research and Reviews, 5 (4), 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

Chicago Style

Ohanme, Eugene Ohams, Uzochukwu Ofonakara, Aisha Attahiru, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Obi, Mansur Aliyu Ramalan, Benjamin Nwafocha Nwakelu, Matthew Onyemaechi Nwokike, Johna Azubuike Ekenjoku, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, and Godwin Christian Akuodor. "Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review." Journal of Medical Research and Reviews 5 (2026), 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Ohanme, Eugene Ohams, Uzochukwu Ofonakara, Aisha Attahiru, Ifeanyi Emmanuel Obi, Mansur Aliyu Ramalan, Benjamin Nwafocha Nwakelu, Matthew Onyemaechi Nwokike, Johna Azubuike Ekenjoku, Emmanuel Ogbuagu, and Godwin Christian Akuodor. "Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review." Journal of Medical Research and Reviews 5.4 (2026), 187-203. Print.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Ohanme, E. O., Ofonakara, . U., Attahiru, . A., Obi, . I. E., Ramalan, . M. A., Nwakelu, . B. N., Nwokike, . M. O., Ekenjoku, . J. A., Ogbuagu, . E. & Akuodor, . G. C. (2026) Pharmacological Interventions for Lead Poisoning in Nigerian Communities: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review. Journal of Medical Research and Reviews, 5 (4), 187-203.

doi:10.5455/JMRR.20260406014131