Lead poisoning--a family study.

Med J Aust · 1991

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A family study is used to highlight the varied manifestations of lead poisoning and difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 42-year-old Italian woman with a known beta-thalassaemia trait presented with a two-year history of disabling pains and symptomatic anaemia, which were found to be caused by lead poisoning. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Screening for lead poisoning among her immediate family members identified two others with different manifestations of plumbism. All three needed active chelating, which resulted in resolution of their symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The similar haematological findings of beta-thalassaemia and lead poisoning may lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning when these two conditions coexist.