Highlights & Basics
- Lead toxicity occurs after occupational or home exposure to lead. There is no threshold level for toxicity.
- Anyone at risk of lead exposure requires screening with regular blood lead measurements. There is no "normal" level, and interventions are initiated at the first sign of increased exposure.
- Lead toxicity causes neurodevelopmental dysfunction in children and a range of cardiovascular, renal, neurologic, and hematologic dysfunctions in adults.
- The mainstay of treatment is removal of the source. Chelation therapy is given for blood levels ≥45 micrograms/dL in a child or >70 micrograms/dL in an adult, or if the patient is symptomatic.
- Acute lead encephalopathy is a medical emergency requiring aggressive chelation therapy in an intensive care setting.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
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