Clinical manifestations of childhood lead poisoning.

Clinical characteristics of 58 patients admitted to Bustamante Hospital for Children with lead poisoning are described. The most common source of lead exposure was backyard battery smelters and most (58%) of the patients were aged below 3 years. Lead toxicity was more severe in younger children as evidenced by higher lead levels and greater incidence of encephalopathy. Patients with lower haemoglobin values had relatively higher lead levels and significantly higher incidence of encephalopathy. Radiological evidence of lead poisoning was present in 96% of our patients demonstrating the usefulness of X-rays in diagnosis, particularly in areas where blood lead levels are not easily available.