THE TREATMENT OF LEAD ENCEPHALOPATHY—A METHOD FOR THE REMOVAL OF LEAD DURING THE ACUTE STAGE

Abstract

1. A theoretical basis for the use of the Calcium complex of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid for the deleading of patients in the acute stage of lead poisoning is presented. 2. Of seven cases of lead encephalopathy treated with this agent, one expired soon after admission, and the others showed prompt clinical improvement. 3. Urinary excretion studies show that approximately 1.8 mg. of lead are excreted for each 500 mg. of CaEDTA administered under conditions calculated to realize the maximum efficiency of the therapy. 4. No signs of toxicity from CaEDTA were noted. 5. A general plan of therapy of lead encephalopathy with CaEDTA is presented. 6. It is too early to evaluate the effects of this form of treatment in minimizing brain damage from this disease.