Purpouse:

Evaluate the neurologic manifestations in 9 children with chronic lead intoxication.

Methods:

9 children from Pasco, a mining city in the Andes of Peru, were evaluated neurologically  or probable chronic lead intoxication.

Results:

All the 9 cases were from three families, who lived very close to the mining site. The blood lead concentrations were over the 10 µg/dL limit (100, 66, 96, 54, 55, 40, 45, 70, 120). The neurological symptoms were mild and unspecific: sporadic headaches, mild learning disorders, mild behavior disorders, anemia compensated by the high altitude (over 4000 meters above sea level). X rays showed bone impregnation between epiphyses and metaphyses.

Only one case showed severe neurological alterations. Was a girl, 8 months old, with blood lead levels of 120 µg/dL. She had Burton signs, and presented convulsions at age of 8 months, as well as development delay, calcification of basal ganglia, agenesis of corpus callosum, cortical hypotrophy, identified by CAT scan and MRI. Intra uterus lead intoxication was suspected in this infant as the probable cause of these neurological abnormalities.

As part of the treatment all cases were removed from the lead intoxication source, and the lead blood levels were reduced in 50% by 6 months. Even though chelation therapy is recommended in these cases of high blood lead levels, it isn`t available in our country.

Conclusión:

Chronic Lead intoxication may not have severe neurological symptoms until very high blood lead levels are achieved. Intra uterus intoxication may have severe neurological compromise.