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Safety and efficacy of succimer in toddlers with blood lead levels of 20-44 microg/dL. Treatment of Lead-Exposed Children (TLC) Trial Group.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Published in: Pediatric research
November 2000

Although lead encephalopathy has virtually disappeared from the United States, thousands of children still have sufficient lead exposure to produce cognitive impairment. It is not known whether treating children with blood lead levels < 45 microg/dL (2.2 microM) is beneficial and can be done with acceptable safety. We conducted a 780-child, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of up to three courses of succimer in children with blood lead levels of 20-44 microg/dL (1.0-2.1 microM). Children were aged 12-33 mo, 77% were African-American, 7% were Hispanic, and they lived in deteriorating inner city housing. Placebo-treated children had a gradual decrease in blood lead level. Succimer-treated children had an abrupt drop in blood lead level, followed by rebound. The mean blood lead level of the succimer-treated children during the 6 mo after initiation of treatment was 4.5 microg/dL (95% confidence intervals, 3.7 to 5.3 microg/dL; 0.22 microM, 0.18 to 0.26 microM) lower than that of placebo-treated children. There were more scalp rashes in succimer-treated children (3.5% versus 1.3%) and an unanticipated excess of trauma. Succimer lowers blood lead level with few side effects. The unanticipated excess of trauma requires confirmation.

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Published In

Pediatric research

DOI

EISSN

1530-0447

ISSN

0031-3998

Publication Date

November 2000

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

593 / 599

Related Subject Headings

  • Wounds and Injuries
  • Succimer
  • Scalp
  • Safety
  • Pediatrics
  • Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood
  • Lead
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Drug Eruptions
 

Published In

Pediatric research

DOI

EISSN

1530-0447

ISSN

0031-3998

Publication Date

November 2000

Volume

48

Issue

5

Start / End Page

593 / 599

Related Subject Headings

  • Wounds and Injuries
  • Succimer
  • Scalp
  • Safety
  • Pediatrics
  • Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood
  • Lead
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Drug Eruptions