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Serious lead poisoning in childhood: Still a problem after a century
Author(s) -
Reith DM,
O'Regan P,
Bailey C,
Acworth J
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.2003.00245.x
Subject(s) - lead poisoning , medicine , lead (geology) , chelation therapy , lead exposure , pediatrics , blood lead level , intensive care medicine , surgery , psychiatry , cats , thalassemia , geomorphology , geology
Objective: To describe a series of patients with clinically significant lead poisoning. Methodology: A case series of nine patients with lead poisoning who required inpatient management, identified through a Clinical Toxicology Service. Results: Nine children presented with clinically significant lead poisoning. The median serum lead was 2.5 µmol/L (range 1.38−4.83). Eight of the children were exposed to lead‐based paint, with seven due to dust from sanded lead paint during house renovations. Serial blood determinations suggested re‐exposure in four of the patients, and in one of these patients the re‐exposure was from a different source of lead. Eight of the patients required chelation therapy. Conclusions: Serious lead poisoning continues to occur and there appears to be complacency regarding the hazard posed by lead paint in old houses.