Association of maternal and child blood lead and hemoglobin levels with maternal perceptions of parenting their young children

► The effects of psychosocial factors contributing to poor behavioral outcomes in lead-exposed children are not well understood. ► We investigated the hypothesis that maternal and child lead and hemoglobin levels are associated with maternal perceptions of their parenting in children aged 13-55 months and their mothers (n = 109) from Montevideo, Uruguay. ► 51.6% of the children had blood lead concentrations (BLLs) ≥5 μg/dL, 18.0% had anemia, and 8% had both conditions. Among mothers, 48.4% had BLLs ≥5 μg/dL, 16.0% had anemia, and 11% had both. ► BLLs ≥5 μg/dL in mother or child were associated with lower maternal perceptions of being skilled at discipline (p < 0.05). Maternal anemia was associated with lower likelihood that mothers would let their children explore and play (p < 0.05), whereas child anemia was associated with maternal perception of lower emotional support (p < 0.01).