Lead poisoning--a family study.
OBJECTIVE
A family study is used to highlight the varied manifestations of lead poisoning and difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.


METHODS
A 42-year-old Italian woman with a known beta-thalassaemia trait presented with a two-year history of disabling pains and symptomatic anaemia, which were found to be caused by lead poisoning.


RESULTS
Screening for lead poisoning among her immediate family members identified two others with different manifestations of plumbism. All three needed active chelating, which resulted in resolution of their symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
The similar haematological findings of beta-thalassaemia and lead poisoning may lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning when these two conditions coexist.
Parnis
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FX
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, SA.
Kotasek
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D
Sage
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RE
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004112:Dimercaprol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis
D004112:Dimercaprol; D007854:Lead; D004492:Edetic Acid; D010396:Penicillamine