Chronic Plumbism in Children
Diagnosis by Hair Analysis
- Louis Kopito, MS;
- Ann M. Briley, MD;
- Harry Shwachman, MD
Abstract
The determination of lead in scalp hair is a valuable diagnostic aid in chronic or mild lead intoxication particulary when the other clinical or laboratory evidence is of questionable diagnostic quality. This continuously growing tissue accumulates and stores lead for long periods and may be used for estimating the time and duration of the exposure. Hair is easy to obtain, store, transport, and analyze and may provide a practical means for finding little children who may have been exposed to lead.
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to 300 Longwood Ave, Boston 02115 (Dr. Shwachman).
