Lead poisoning differential diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aksiniya Stevasarova, M.D.

Lead poisoning must be differentiated from megaloblastic anemia^[1], carpal tunnel syndrome^[2], Guillain–Barré syndrome, renal colic, appendicitis, encephalitis in adults, and viral gastroenteritis in children.^[3], constipation, abdominal colic^[4], iron deficiency, subdural hematoma, neoplasms of the central nervous system, emotional and behavior disorders, and intellectual disability.^{[5] [6]}

• As lead poisoning manifests in a variety of clinical forms, differentiation must be established in accordance with the particular clinical symptom. ^[7]
  • Sideroblastic anemia must be differentiated from other diseases that cause basophilic stippling like megaloblastic anemia^[1].
  • Peripheral neuropathy must be differentiated from Guillain–Barré syndrome, which will present with albuminocytological dissociation on CSF analysis.
  • Intellectual disability must be differentiated from autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome
  • Abdominal colic must be differentiated from Gallbladder disease, viral gastroenteritis, pancreatitis etc.^[4]

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