Abstract
Serious Pb toxicity in 4 children with sickle cell anemia (SS) with blood Pb <80μg/dl prompted a search for asymptomatic Pb burden in a group of 30 children, age 3-18, with SSD (27 SS, 3 SC). Blood Pb and whole blood free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) were determined and the patients divided into 4 major Pb poisoning classes by correlating the results. (J. Pediatr. 87:824) 21 patients fit the criteria for class I, 6 for Ia and 1 for class IV. Two children with Pb levels <29μg/dl but FEP values > 190μg/dl do not fit the numerical classification. Pb/EDTA mobilization was done on 6 patients with FEP > 60μg/dl and blood lead < 40μg/dl who were demonstrated not iron deficient. Preliminary data shows abnormal Pb excretion in those children. In normal children blood Pb levels correlate with the FEP and clinical toxicity. However, in SSD an FEP > 60μg/dl can be associated with an increased Pb burden despite a blood Pb less than 40μg/dl.
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Tigner-Weekes, L., Pegelow, C., Powars, D. et al. PROBLEMS WITH LEAD (Pb) SCREENING IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE (SSD). Pediatr Res 11, 482 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00676
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00676