Lead intoxication: clinic and diagnostic evaluation in children

Abstract

Poverty, poor nutrition, environmental and social injustice prevailing in Latin America are factors that determine the action of pollutants on children. Lead poisoning and pollution constitute a public health problem throughout the world. Lead affects multiple organs: nervous system particularly, hematopoietic, renal, endocrine, bone and others. Objective: to assess clinical, biochemical and vascular effects in children exposed to known source of lead. Materials and methods: Seven children with defined source lead exposure were studied, general and specific lead laboratory were made. Endothelial function and electrocardiographic parameters were assessed. Statistic: descriptive. Results: Age average was 6,2 years (DE± 1, 6), average haematocrit 31% (DE±0,02); hemoglobin average 10,2 g/dl (DE± 0,78). 100% presented hypochromia, microcitosis, anemia and marked anisocytosis. Lead average: 37,9 ug/dl (DE±6,22), ALA-D average: 8,9 U/L (DE±4,5). No changes were found in lipid profile and kidney function. All presented microalbuminuria and endothelial dysfunction. Conclusion: These results show the effects of environmental lead exposure that can result in children not occupationally exposed.