[Toxic lesions to the central nervous system in acute poisoning with red lead]

Three cases of poisoning with oral red lead are presented. All 3 young persons ingested red lead for suicidal purposes. Six months prior to this poisoning all of the underwent detailed, medical examinations which did not reveal any pathologies. Toxicological analysis of the body fluids has shown the following results of urinalysis: lead (Pb) 2.41-9.29 mg/L; delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) 1.7-2.7 mg%; coproporphyrin-0.033-0.11 mg/L. Central nervous system activity has been assessed with the aid of a complex psychiatric examination, psychological tests, EEG, and CT-scans of the head. Organic lesions to CNS have been diagnosed in all poisoned patients. All of them were re-examined 4 months and 3 years after poisoning. This has enabled dynamic evaluation of remote CNS damage.