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Lead Poisoning

Jason Chao, MS, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Disease resulting 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, adu...

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 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 inspection...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Expect rebound after chelation, due to release of Pb from bone stores.

  • Check for rebound Pb level 7 to 10 days after chelation therapy. Monitor b...

REFERENCES

1
Council on Environmental Health. Prevention of childhood lead toxicity. Pediatrics.  2016;138(1):e20161493. [View Abstract on OvidMedline]
2
...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Alzer A, Currie J, Simon P, et al. Do low levels of blood lead reduce children’s future test scores? Am Econ J Appl Econ. 2018 January;10(1):307–341.

  • ...

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: living near industry likely to release Pb; living with adult with job or hobby involving Pb; sibling/playmate with elevated ...

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