| Encephalopathy from lead poisoning masquerading as a flu-like syndrome in an autistic child. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20453792 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Acute encephalopathy from childhood lead poisoning is fortunately rare. However, in pediatric patients with developmental disabilities and pica, there is a risk of lead exposure at a dose commensurate with encephalopathy, coupled with a risk of delayed diagnosis because of difficulty in distinguishing between baseline and altered behavior. We report here a 4-year old autistic boy who presented to the pediatrician's office with gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioral changes and was at first thought to have a viral syndrome. He returned 2 days later with a worsening illness; increasing pallor, vomiting, abdominal colic, and changes in consciousness were recognized in the emergency department as lead-induced anemia and encephalopathy, associated with a positive abdominal film for paint chips and a blood lead level equal to 216 microg/dL (10.43 micromol/L) (reference, <10 microg/dL or 0.483 micromol/L). As this case illustrates, prompt recognition is dependent on the skills and suspicions of an astute clinician, especially in the busy emergency department. |
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Authors:
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Mathew George; Matthew M Heeney; Alan D Woolf |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Pediatric emergency care Volume: 26 ISSN: 1535-1815 ISO Abbreviation: Pediatr Emerg Care Publication Date: 2010 May |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-05-10 Completed Date: 2010-09-23 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8507560 Medline TA: Pediatr Emerg Care Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 370-3 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Harvard Medical Toxicology Program, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Drmg456@gmail.com |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Autistic Disorder
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complications* Chelating Agents / therapeutic use Chelation Therapy / methods Child, Preschool Diagnosis, Differential Follow-Up Studies Humans Influenza, Human / diagnosis* Intensive Care Units, Pediatric Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood / complications, diagnosis*, drug therapy Male |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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K12HL087164/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Chelating Agents |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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