Lead poisoning

Lead poisoningLead poisoning
  • History / PE:
    Abdominal pain
    Constipation
    Difficulty concentrating
    Fatigue
  • Diagnosis:
    Basophilic stippling in RBCs (peripheral blood smear)
    Microcytic anemia
  • Treatment:
    Exposure reduction
    EDTA
    Succimer
  • Complications:
    Lead nephropathy
    Peripheral neuropathy
  • Notes:
    In adults, think occupational exposure (car radiators, batteries, smelting, refining, paint)

    Basophilic stippling also seen in sideroblastic anemias ( vitamin B6 deficiency , ETOH)



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July 30th 2010