Reassessment of the Microcytic Anemia of Lead Poisoning

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 904-906
Author(s):  
Alan R. Cohen ◽  
Margret S. Trotzky ◽  
Diane Pincus
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Concentration ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Microcytic Anemia ◽  
Class Iii ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
Only Children ◽  
Hematologic Disorders ◽  
Thalassemia Minor ◽  
Class Iv

Hematologic abnormalities in childhood lead poisoning may be due, in part, to the presence of other disorders, such as iron deficiency or thalassemia minor. In order to reassess increased lead burden as a cause of microcytic anemia, we studied 58 children with class III or IV lead poisoning, normal iron stores, and no inherited hemoglobinopathy. Anemia occurred in 12% and microcytosis in 21% of these children. The combination of anemia and microcytosis was found in only one of 58 patients (2%). When only children with class IV lead poisoning were studied, the occurrence of microcytosis increased to 46%. However, the combination of microcytosis and anemia was found in only one of these 13 more severely affected patients. Microcytic anemia was similarly uncommon in children with either blood lead concentration ≥ 50 µg/100 ml or erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentration ≥ 110 µg/100 ml. These data indicate that microcytosis and anemia occur much less commonly than previously reported in childhood lead poisoning uncomplicated by other hematologic disorders.

Statement on Childhood Lead Poisoning

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 457-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Concentration ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
The United States ◽  
Blood Lead Concentration ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Absorption ◽  
Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin

Patterns of childhood lead poisoning have changed substantially in the United States. The mean blood lead level has declined, and acute intoxication with encephalopathy has become uncommon. Nonetheless, between 1976 and 1980, 780,000 children, 1 to 6 years of age, had blood lead concentrations of 30 µg/L or above. These levels of absorption, previously thought to be safe, are now known to cause loss of neurologic and intellectual function, even in asymptomatic children. Because this loss is largely irreversible and cannot fully be restored by medical treatment, pediatricians' efforts must be directed toward prevention. Prevention is achieved by reducing children's exposure to lead and by early detection of increased absorption. Childhood lead poisoning is now defined by the Academy as a whole blood lead concentration of 25 µg/L or more, together with an erythrocyte protoporphyrin level of 35 µg/dL or above. This definition does not require the presence of symptoms. It is identical with the new definition of the US Public Health Service. Lead poisoning in children previously was defined by a blood lead concentration of 30 µ/dL with an erythrocyte protoporphyrin level of 50 µg/dL. To prevent lead exposure in children, the Academy urges public agencies to develop safe and effective methods for the removal and proper disposal of all lead-based paint from public and private housing. Also, the Academy urges the rapid and complete removal of all lead from gasoline. To achieve early detection of lead poisoning, the Academy recommends that all children in the United States at risk of exposure to lead be screened for lead absorption at approximately 12 months of age by means of the erythrocyte protoporphyrin test, when that test is available. Furthermore, the Academy recommends follow-up erythrocyte protoporphyrin testing of children judged to be at high risk of lead absorption. Reporting of lead poisoning should be mandatory in all states.

Screening for Lead Poisoning: Measurements and Methodology

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-304
Author(s):  
Gordon D. McLaren ◽  
William F. Barthel ◽  
Philip Landrigan
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Concentration ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Blood Lead Concentration ◽  
Extensive Experience

Piomelli et al.1 have presented an extensive experience in comparison of free erythrocyte porphyrin (FEP) levels with blood lead concentrations. Their finding that an FEP ≥ 250µg/100 ml RBC was invariably associated with a blood lead concentration ≥ 6Oµg/100 ml is consistent with data obtained in our laboratory2 using a somewhat different microfluorometric method for FEP determination.3 We must, however, take issue with the conclusion of Piomelli et al.1 that only FEP levels above 250µg/100 ml RBC should be considered "positive."

Pool Cue Chalk: A Source of Environmental Lead

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 916-917
Author(s):  
Mary Beth Miller ◽  
Steven C. Curry ◽  
Donald B. Kunkel ◽  
Patricia Arreola ◽  
Ernest Arvizu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Absorption ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Lead Content ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
Environmental Lead ◽  
Lead Compounds ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Coloring Agents

Lead compounds are used as coloring agents for numerous products. Two cases of children with elevated blood lead concentrations encountered by the authors suggested that pool cue chalk may serve as a source of environmental lead. The objective of this study was to determine lead content of various brands and colors of pool cue chalk. Atomic absorption analyses were conducted of 23 different types of pool cue chalk for lead content. Three of 23 types of pool cue chalk contained more than 7000 ppm (mg/kg) lead: one manufacturer's green and tangerine chalk and another manufacturer's green chalk. It was concluded that some brands of pool cue chalk contain relatively large amounts of lead and could contribute to childhood lead poisoning.

Childhood Lead Poisoning in Russia: A Site-specific Pediatric Blood Lead Evaluation

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol H. Rubin ◽  
Emilio Esteban ◽  
Robert Jones ◽  
Gary Noonan ◽  
Elena Gurvich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
A Site

Home Abatement and Blood Lead Changes in Children With Class III Lead Poisoning

1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 536-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon L. Swindell ◽  
Evan Charney ◽  
Mary Jean Brown ◽  
Joanne Delaney
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Class Iii

Using Medicaid Data to Improve Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Outcomes and Blood Lead Surveillance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. S51-S57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley A. Bruce ◽  
Krista Y. Christensen ◽  
Marjorie J. Coons ◽  
Jeffrey A. Havlena ◽  
Jon G. Meiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Prevention Program ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Program Outcomes ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
Lead Poisoning Prevention ◽  
Poisoning Prevention

Acute and Chronic Childhood Lead Poisoning: Criticism of the Statement

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1972 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 474-475
Author(s):  
Jane S. Lin-Fu
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Lead Poisoning ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Childhood Lead Poisoning ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Recent Statement ◽  
Major Emphasis ◽  
Chronic Childhood

I read the AAP's recent statement, "Acute and Chronic Childhood Lead Poisoning,"1 with disappointment verging on alarm. The statement recommends that "the major emphasis . . . be placed on the testing of dwellings for lead-pigment paints . . . in order to identify high-risk areas." Yet many such areas, or "lead belts," have long been so correctly identified that 20 to 40% of young children screened from these areas have been shown to have blood lead values of 40 µg/100 ml or more.2

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document