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Neuropediatrics 2012; 43(04): 217-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1321981
Short Communication
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Guillain-Barré-Like Syndrome in a Child with Lead Poisoning

Maddalena Toto
1   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
,
Andrea De Giacomo
1   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
,
Maria Giuseppina Petruzzelli
1   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
,
Franca Dicuonzo
2   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatry Sciences, Neuroradiologic Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
,
Nicola Santoro
3   Department of Pediatrics “F. Vecchio” University of Bari, Bari, Italy
,
Giovanni Carlo Del Vecchio
3   Department of Pediatrics “F. Vecchio” University of Bari, Bari, Italy
,
Francesco Craig
1   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
,
Lucia Margari
1   Department of Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, University of Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

04 January 2012

08 May 2012

Publication Date:
30 June 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body, generally resulting from environmental exposure. Lead poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms which vary depending on the individual and the duration of lead exposure; lead poisoning is more noxious to children than adults, because it can damage the brain and nerve development of children.

We report a case of lead poisoning in a 5-year-old girl caused by accidental ingestion of a metal ring. Simultaneously, the child showed anemia, encephalopathy, and peripheral neuropathy with albuminocytological dissociation mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome.

This case suggests that anemia with signs of peripheral and central nervous system damage could be considered as a possible manifestation of lead poisoning in children.

Keywords

lead poisoning - encephalopathy - peripheral neuropathy - Guillain-Barré syndrome
 

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