Lead toxicity in a new-born due to in utero exposure

Authors

  • Leanna Laor Department of Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, New York, USA
  • Sharlene Sy Department of Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, New York, USA
  • Ruchi Gupta Department of Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, New York, USA
  • Joseph Torres Department of Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, New York, USA
  • Lourdes Cohen Department of Pediatrics, Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing, New York, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20175593

Keywords:

In utero exposure, Lead, Neonatology

Abstract

Lead poisoning in a neonate is poorly defined, and limited data exists on appropriate follow-up and treatment of such infants. We are presenting the case of a newborn infant, who had a lead level of 63 mcg/dL. Treatment involved five days of intravenous chelation therapy. At discharge, no clinical sequelae of lead toxicity were found. However, due to the chronic nature of in utero exposure the infant requires close follow-up, in particular neurologic and developmental sequelae. Lead toxicity has many complications. Long-term complications include delays in growth and development. Furthermore, these complications may develop in children with minimal toxicity, let alone those with grossly abnormal values. Due to lack of data, perhaps it is worthwhile to screen those women of child-bearing age, who are of "high risk", for elevated blood lead levels to reduce the risk of in utero exposure.

References

CDC. Guidelines for the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant and lactating women. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2010. Available at:http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/leadandpregnancy2010.pdf. Accessed 20 August 2012.

CDC. Low level lead exposure harms children: a renewed call for primary prevention: report of the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2012. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/ACCLPP/Final_Document_030712.pdf

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Lead screening during pregnancy. 2012. Available at https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Lead-Screening-During-Pregnancy-and-Lactation#31.

Reuben A, Caspi A, Belsky DW, Broadbent J, Harrington H, Sugden K, et al. Association of childhood blood lead levels with cognitive function and socioeconomic status at age 38 years with IQ change and socioeconomic mobility between childhood and adulthood. JAMA. 2017;317(12):1-8.

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Toxicological profile for lead. 2007. Available at https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp13.pdf.

Downloads

Published

2017-12-21