Definition: Neurologic conditions in adults associated with acute or chronic exposure to lead or any of its salts. The most common lead related neurologic syndrome in adults consists of a polyneuropathy involving motor fibers. This tends to affect distal nerves and may present as wrist drop due to RADIAL NEUROPATHY. Additional features of chronic lead exposure include ANEMIA; CONSTIPATION; colicky abdominal pain; a bluish lead line of the gums; interstitial nephritis (NEPHRITIS, INTERSTITIAL); and saturnine gout. An encephalopathy may rarely occur. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1212)
includes adolescent as well as adult; coord with specific nervous system symptoms if emphasized
Other names Saturnism, Adult Neurologic; Polyneuropathy, Lead Induced; Polyneuropathy, Lead; Polyneuropathies, Lead-Induced; Lead-Induced Polyneuropathies; Lead Induced Polyneuropathy; Adult Neurologic Saturnism; Polyneuropathy, Lead-Induced; Lead-Induced Polyneuropathy; Lead Polyneuropathy; Poisoning, Lead, Neurologic, Adult; Poisoning, Lead, Nervous System, Adult; Plumbism, Neurologic, Adult; Neurotoxicity Syndrome, Lead, Adult; Neurologic Saturnism, Adult; Nervous System Toxicity, Lead, Adult; Nervous System Poisoning, Lead, Adult; Nervous System Diseases, Lead Induced, Adult; Lead Poisoning, Neurologic, Adult; Lead Induced Nervous System Diseases, Adult