A Case of Asymptomatic Lead Poisoning in a Two-Year-Old With a Background of Pica and Iron Deficiency Anaemia.

Authors

Rafia Ayub, Inayat K Hafiz, Ahsan Ul-Haq

Published in

Cureus. Volume 18. Issue 7. Pages e113253. Epub Jul 23, 2026.

Abstract

Lead poisoning remains an important yet under-recognised cause of morbidity in children. We report the case of a two-year-old child presenting with asymptomatic lead poisoning identified following investigation of pica, including ingestion of wall paint. This was with concomitant iron deficiency anaemia secondary to excessive cow's milk intake. Given these significant risk factors, blood lead level screening was done despite her asymptomatic presentation, revealing a markedly elevated lead level of 3.34 µmol/L (reference range ≤ 0.10 µmol/L). Following these results, she was admitted for treatment with chelation therapy under the guidance of the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS), with ongoing surveillance in clinic to monitor treatment response and ensure a decline in blood lead levels. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of asymptomatic lead poisoning and emphasises the importance of having a low threshold for screening in children with risk factors, including pica, nutritional deficiencies, and potential environmental lead exposure. Early recognition can facilitate timely treatment, reducing the risk of long-term complications.

PMID:
42633360
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Aug 2026.

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