Lead Poisoning Diagnosis

Lead Poisoning

• Blood lead level of 10 μg/dL or above is a cause for concern, but lead can impair development and have harmful health effects even at lower levels, with no known safe exposure level.
• Effects of lead poisoning on adults:
  • 10 μg/dL: hypertension
  • 20 μg/dL: inhibition of heme synthesis, increased erythrocyte protoporphyrin
  • 30 μg/dL: systolic hypertension, impaired hearing, impaired vitamin D metabolism
  • 40 μg/dL: infertility in males, renal effects, neuropathy, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain
  • 50 μg/dL: anemia, gastrointestinal symptoms, tremor
  • 100 μg/dL: lethargy, seizures, encephalopathy
• Effects of lead poisoning on children:
  • 10 μg/dL: impairment of IQ, growth, and heme synthesis
  • Increased risk of colicky abdominal pain, neuropathy, and encephalopathy at higher blood lead levels
• Treatment of lead poisoning:
  • Removal from the source of lead
  • Chelation therapy with agents like CaNa2EDTA, BAL, DMSA, and DPCN
  • Treatment of iron, calcium, and zinc deficiencies
  • A good diet rich in dietary fiber can help reduce lead absorption

Iron Toxicity

• Iron is usually found in its oxidized form, ferric oxide, which is insoluble
• Ferrous iron is soluble and its toxicity varies with the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining
• Iron toxicity is often acute and associated with ingestion of iron supplements or contaminated items
• Symptoms of iron toxicity:
  • Interference with vitamin D synthesis
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
  • Liver and kidney dysfunction

Lead Toxicity Symptoms

• Acute toxicity:
  • CNS symptoms (headache, irritability, confusion, acute encephalopathy, tremors, seizures, coma, and death)
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms (severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, loss of appetite)
  • Liver and kidney dysfunction
• Chronic toxicity:
  • Early symptoms: diffuse muscle weakness, paresthesia, fatigue, attention deficiency, confusion, irritability, joint and muscle pain, unusual metallic taste
  • Complications: intermittent abdominal cramping, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, diminished libido, weight loss, anemia, increased systolic blood pressure
  • Neurological symptoms: tremors, peripheral neuropathy, short-term memory loss, depression, insomnia, cerebral edema
  • Other symptoms: renal insufficiency, "lead hue" of the skin with pallor and blue line along the gum, and bluish black edging to the teeth
  • Reproductive effects: oligospermia, changes in sperm motility, morphology, and effects on the female reproductive system