<![CDATA[Latar belakang: Paparan timbal (Pb) masih menjadi masalah kesehatan lingkungan yang berdampak serius terhadap pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak, terutama pada wilayah dengan aktivitas industri informal. Anak yang terpapar timbal berisiko mengalami gangguan pertumbuhan linear, keterlambatan perkembangan, dan gangguan neurologis. Kabupaten Tegal merupakan salah satu wilayah dengan aktivitas peleburan logam rumah tangga yang berpotensi meningkatkan pencemaran timbal di lingkungan. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis hubungan kadar timbal darah dengan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak usia balita di Desa Pesarean, Kabupaten Tegal.Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross-sectional yang dilakukan pada April–Juni 2025. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 110 anak usia 24–60 bulan yang dipilih menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Pemeriksaan kadar timbal darah dilakukan menggunakan metode Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Pertumbuhan anak dinilai menggunakan indikator antropometri WHO, sedangkan perkembangan anak diukur menggunakan Kuesioner Pra Skrining Perkembangan (KPSP). Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat, bivariat menggunakan uji korelasi Pearson, dan multivariat menggunakan regresi linier berganda.Hasil: Rerata kadar Pb darah anak sebesar 22,64 ± 12,34 µg/dL dan seluruh subjek memiliki kadar Pb darah di atas ambang batas aman WHO (<5 µg/dL). Sebagian besar anak memiliki kadar Pb darah kategori menengah hingga tinggi. Terdapat hubungan negatif signifikan antara kadar Pb darah dengan pertumbuhan anak (r = -0,312; p = 0,015) serta perkembangan anak (r = -0,298; p = 0,021). Analisis regresi linier berganda menunjukkan bahwa kadar Pb darah merupakan prediktor independen terhadap gangguan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak setelah dikontrol oleh variabel confounding.Simpulan: Kadar timbal darah yang tinggi berhubungan signifikan dengan gangguan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak usia balita di kawasan industri peleburan logam informal Kabupaten Tegal. Penguatan program kesehatan lingkungan, pemantauan kadar Pb darah, serta pengendalian pencemaran industri diperlukan untuk mencegah dampak jangka panjang pada anak.ABSTRACTBackground: Lead (Pb) exposure remains a major environmental health problem that seriously affects children’s growth and development, particularly in areas with informal industrial activities. Children exposed to lead are at risk of impaired linear growth, developmental delay, and neurological disorders. Tegal Regency is one of the areas with household-scale metal smelting activities that potentially increase environmental lead contamination. This study aimed to analyze the association between blood lead levels and the growth and developmental status of children under five years old in Pesarean Village, Tegal Regency.Methods: This study was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design conducted from April to June 2025. A total of 110 children aged 24–60 months were selected using purposive sampling. Blood lead levels were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Child growth was assessed using WHO anthropometric indicators, while child development was evaluated using the Pre-Screening Developmental Questionnaire (KPSP). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression.Results: The mean blood lead level among children was 22.64 ± 12.34 µg/dL, and all subjects had blood lead levels above the WHO safety threshold (<5 µg/dL). Most children had moderate to high blood lead levels. Significant negative correlations were found between blood lead levels and child growth (r = -0.312; p = 0.015) as well as child development (r = -0.298; p = 0.021). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead level was an independent predictor of impaired growth and developmental outcomes after controlling for confounding variables.Conclusion: Elevated blood lead levels were significantly associated with impaired growth and developmental outcomes among children living near informal metal smelting industries in Tegal Regency. Strengthening environmental health programs, monitoring blood lead levels, and controlling industrial pollution are necessary to prevent long-term adverse effects on children.]]>
