L14: Lead Flashcards
Sources of Lead
toxic compounds of Lead
Mode of poisoninig by Lead
- Mostly accidental
Absorbtion of Lead
- Lead is absorbed through GIT, respiratory tract and skin.
what increases/decreases Lead absorbtion?
Increased by
- Iron deficiency
- Low dietary calcium
Decreased by
- co-ingestion with food
Distribution of Lead
Metabolism of Lead
Lead metabolism is typically as Ca metabolism
what increases Deposition of lead in bone?
- Alkalis as K citrate, Na citrate
- Ca rich diet and Vitamin D
Execretion of Lead
- It is mainly excreted through urine (70%).
- Smaller amounts are eliminated via feces and scant amounts via the hair, nails and sweat.
what increases Mobilization of lead from bone?
- Acids as NH3 chloride
- lodides
- Chelators
- Parathormone.
Mechanism of Toxicity by Lead
Types of Lead toxicity
- Acute Poisoning
- Chronic Poisoning
Incidence of Acute Lead Poisoning
relatively uncommon
CP of Acute Lead Poisoning
- Local (GIT)
- Remote (CNS, Blood & Renal)
Remote effects of Acute Lead Poisoning
CNS
- Headache, lethargy, insomnia, paresthesia.
- Lead encephalopathy: It is commonly preceded by several weeks of prodromal complaints, Including irritability, headache and sleep disturbance, Encephalopathy characterized by Ataxia, seizures, delirium, stupor and coma.
Toxic hepatitis
Haemolytic angemia.
Local effects of Acute Lead Poisoning
- Metallic taste
- Dry throat, thirst
- Nausea, vomiting, cramping abdominal pain
- Constipation.
Effects of Chronic Lead Exposure
- Low levels may be associated with subslinical effects as Impairment of visualmotor dexterity, reaction time Slowing of motor nerve conduction velocity.
- But Higher levels Cause chronic poisoning
Facial pallor in Chronic Lead Poisoning
- Earliest sign around the mouth,
- Due to vasospasm and produced by contraction of capillaries at arterial side.
CP of Chronic Lead Poisoning
- Facial pallor
- Hematological effect
- GIT
- Neurological effect
- Reproductive system effects
- Effects on the eye
- CVS effects
- Renal effects
- Bones
- Carcinogenic effect
Hematological effects in Chronic Lead Poisoning
- Hypochromic anemia with normocytic or microcytic indices.
- Reticulocytosis due to anemia
- Punctuate basophilia (basophilic stippling of erythrocytes): early sign as consequences of lead-induced inhibition of pyrimidine-5 nucleotidase or cellular ribonucleases.
GIT effects in Chronic Lead Poisoning
- Burton’s/Burtonian (lead line)
- Colic
- constipation
Burton’s/burtonian (lead line)
- Incidence
50-70% cases
Burton’s/burtonian (lead line)
- Description
- A stippled blue line on gingival surface due to subepithelial deposit of granules at junction of teeth, especially near dirty or carious teeth.
Burton’s/burtonian (lead line)
- Causes
- Due to formation of lead sulphide (reaction of circulating leadt sulfur ions released by oral microbial activity) especially near dirty or carious teeth.
- Seen in poisoning with copper, iron.