Definition: Neurologic disorders occurring in children following lead exposure. The most frequent manifestation of childhood lead toxicity is an encephalopathy associated with chronic ingestion of lead that usually presents between the ages of 1 and 3 years. Clinical manifestations include behavioral changes followed by lethargy; CONVULSIONS; HALLUCINATIONS; DELIRIUM; ATAXIA; and vomiting. Elevated intracranial pressure (HYPERTENSION, INTRACRANIAL) and CEREBRAL EDEMA may occur. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1210-2)
includes infant as well as child; coord with specific nervous system symptoms if emphasized
Other names Saturnism, Childhood Neurologic; Lead Induced Nervous System Disease, Childhood; Encephalopathy, Childhood Saturine; Encephalopathy, Childhood Lead; Childhood Saturine Encephalopathy; Childhood Neurologic Saturnism; Childhood Lead Encephalopathy; Saturine Encephalopathy, Childhood; Poisoning, Lead, Neurologic, Childhood; Poisoning, Lead, Nervous System, Childhood; Plumbism, Neurologic, Childhood; Neurotoxicity Syndrome, Lead, Childhood; Neurologic Saturnism, Childhood; Nervous System Poisoning, Lead, Childhood; Nervous System Disease, Lead-Induced, Childhood; Lead-Induced Nervous System Disease, Childhood; Lead Poisoning, Neurologic, Childhood; Lead Encephalopathy, Childhood