Abstract
The measurement of FEP is now widely used as a means of screening for lead poisoning. Very little data is available to demonstrate its utility as an index of the body lead burden. To assess this relationship 156 patients were studied with FEP, blood lead, hemoglobin, serum iron, and an 8-hour EDTA mobilization test. There was a significant correlation between FEP, blood lead and the urinary excretion of lead following EDTA administration. Only 2% of patients with blood lead values of less than 40 μg/dl excreted more than 0.54 μg of lead/mg of EDTA administered; 32% of those with blood leads of more than 40 μg/dl had abnormal lead excretions. With the use of the FEP it was found that 7% of patients with FEP of less than 60 μg/dl of whole blood had abnormal lead mobilization tests while 23% of those with FEP greater than 60 μg/dl had excessive amounts of lead in their urine following the administration of EDTA. The FEP was less reliable as an index of body lead burden in children more than 5 years of age. Results indicate that patients with an FEP of less than 30 μg/dl were at almost no risk of an increased body lead burden. Patients with an FEP value that is greater than 30 μg/dl may have an excessive body lead burden and should have blood lead levels measured to determine if an EDTA mobilization test is required in the diagnostic evaluation.
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Post, E., Oskl, F., Levin, M. et al. 377 THE MEASUREMENT OF FREE ERYTHROCYTE PORPHYRIN (FEP) AS AN INDEX OF THE BODY LEAD BURDEN. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 426 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00382
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00382