Lead encephalopathy in infants in Kuwait

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Abstract
SUMMARY Twenty patients aged between one and eighteen months (mean six months) were found to have lead encephalopathy. They were seen in one 30-bed ward during a four year period from 1977 to 1980. Blood lead was determined in 19 children and ranged between 2.9 and 12.4 μmol/1 (60 and 257 μg/d1) mean 5.42 μmol/1 (113 μg/dl). Two patients died before starting treatment. Of the 18 patients treated with B.A.L.(2.3 dimercaptopropanol) and EDTA (ethyl-enediaminetetra-acetic acid), three died. Eleven patients made an apparently complete recovery and four had neurological sequelae. The source of lead was traced in 18 patients: in 11 it was due to the liberal use of Kohl (also known as surma) commonly used as an eye cosmetic in the Arabian peninsula. Other local sources of lead poisoning are discussed.

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