A patient with lead poisoning may present with recurrent abdominal pain and constipation.
Barriers to the diagnosis of lead poisoning:
(1) an alternative explanation for symptoms is present or suspected
(2) exposures to lead not identified
(3) failure to perform a complete medical evaluation
(4) unfamiliarity with clinical manifestations of lead poisoning
(5) failure to perform additional testing
Findings that should trigger consideration of lead poisoning:
(1) neuropathy with wrist or foot drop
(2) microcytic anemia with basophilic stippling
(3) nephropathy
(4) lead lines in the gingiva
(5) CNS symptoms (difficulty in concentration, irritability, headache)
