Lead poisoning--a family study

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.