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Lead Poisoning

Jason Chao, MS, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Results from a high body burden of lead (Pb)—an element with no known physiologic purpose

  • Synonym(s): lead poisoning, inorganic

EPIDEMIOLOGY

  • Predominant age: 1 to 5 years, adult workers

  • ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Often asymptomatic

  • Mild-to-moderate toxicity

    • Myalgias, paresthesias, fatigue, irritability, lethargy

    • Abdominal discomfort, arthralgia, difficulty concentrating, headache, tremor, vomitin...

TREATMENT

ALERT
  • For Pb levels above 3.5 μg/dL, confirm with repeat testing according to the table

  • For blood Pb levels persistently >15 μg/dL, contact local public health department for home inspectio...

ONGOING CARE

Early intervention (before age 3) programs for elevated lead levels improve standardized test performance in elementary school 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Expect rebound af...

REFERENCES

1
Ruckart PZ, Jones RL, Countney JG, et al. Update of the Blood Lead Reference Value—United States, 2021. MMWR. 2021;70(43):1509-12.
2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended A...

ADDITIONAL READING

Stingone JA, Sedlar S, Lim S, McVeigh KH. Receipt of Early Intervention Services Before Age 3 Years and Performance on Third-Grade Standardized Tests Among Children Exposed to Lead...

SEE ALSO

Anemia, Iron Deficiency 

CODES

ICD10

  • T56.0X4A Toxic effect of lead and its compounds, undetermined, init

  • T56.0X1A Toxic effect of lead and its compounds, accidental, init

SNOMED

  • 38342005 toxic effect of lead compound (disorder)

  • 72...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Screen children 6 to 11 months of age with ≥1 risk factors

  • Children living in high-risk communities (>12% elevated Pb) should be tested annually from 1 to 5 years of age

  • CDC updated i...

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