Lead encephalopathy. A case report and review of management.
Acute lead encephalopathy has become a rare syndrome in the United States. Early recognition of the disease, with institution of specific chelation therapy, is critical in order to minimize mortality and morbidity. Lead intoxication, however, may mimic other more common diseases. We report an 8-year-old child with known sickle cell anemia who presented initially with findings suggestive of vaso-occlusive crisis but who deteriorated rapidly and was found to have severe lead poisoning. We present her hospital course and review the management of lead encephalopathy in detail.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004630:Emergencies; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005078:Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010842:Pica / Q000097:blood; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D002614:Chelating Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007854:Lead