Anemia in chronic lead poisoning. Apropos of 2 cases
Cassagneau, B.; Laurent, G.; Capdeville, J.; Pris, J.
La Semaine des Hopitaux Organe Fonde Par l'Association d'Enseignement Medical des Hopitaux de Paris 53(11-12): 679-685
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-1777 PMID: 194322 Document Number: 116290
The authors report two cases of lead poisoning in which the diagnosis was made following anemia. They recall the clinical, laboratory and physiopathological characteristics of the blood signs of chronic lead poisoning. Anemia is the result of more rapid aging of the red cells, and of the effect of lead on erythropoiesis. The diagnosis is based on the finding of stippled red cells, on the rise in urinary delta-levulinic acid and on urinary lead after chelation.