Question

A 1 year old has a blood lead level of 39 μg/dL during a follow-up visit with her pediatrician, her previous results (5 days prior) from a routine capillary collection was 44 μg/dL. The patient shows no signs of developmental delay or of lead poisoning.

Questions:

1. What is the common source of lead exposure for children?

2. Discuss the various methods for chelation after toxic lead exposure? Provide your resources of your research.

3. Is chelation therapy warranted in this case? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

1.Lead is heavy toxic metal and found in soil,air and house paints.Lead poisoning can cause serious health problems.Lead poisoning is common among the children.Lead affects kids developing brain and retard the growth.Children get lead in their bodies by putting lead toys in mouth.

Common lead exposure in children are 1.Deteriorated lead paints

2.Lead contaminated dust

3 Painted toys

4.Toy jewelries

5.Lead pipes which can contaminate the water.

6.Adults who work in auto repair shops , battery shops .

2.Chelation is a chemical process to remove heavy metals like lead from the blood.In chelation the chelators bind to lead and excess lead is excreted through urine .The chelating agents also removes vital nutrients like vitamins from blood.

Chemical chelators used commonly are DMSA Dimercaprol, and EDTA.In chelation therapy EDTA(ethylendiaminetetra acetic acid ) is injected into blood .EDTA grabs the lead from the body and removed through urine.

Dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) is recommended chelating agent for lead poisoning in children.

In chelation therapy is recommended for children with blood levels of 45microgram/dL of lead.

Resource: Office of Lead hazard control and healthy home

3.Chelation therapy is warrented in children with blood levels of 45microgram/dL.In this case the infant has 39microgram/dL of lead in the blood.So chelation therapy is not warrented for this baby.Chelation therapy should be used with caution.There are side effects with each chelating agent and proper guidelines to be followed for each case.This baby has no signs of developmental delays or symptoms of lead poisoning .In this case there's decrease in lead level within 5 days .So chelation therapy is not needed now. Chelation is not risk free and the possible complications should be considered and weighed against possible risk.