# Lead Poisoning Revealed by Unexplained Abdominal Pain and Anemia in a Young Adult: A Diagnostic Challenge

**Authors:** Jennifer Eichler, Sarah Albrecht, Lars C. Huber

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72172 · Clinical Case Reports · 2026-02-28

## TL;DR

A young adult's unexplained abdominal pain and anemia led to a lead poisoning diagnosis, highlighting the importance of recognizing subtle symptoms.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes lead poisoning as a rare but important differential diagnosis for unexplained anemia and abdominal pain in young adults.

## Key findings

- Lead poisoning was diagnosed in a young adult with unexplained anemia and abdominal pain.
- Classic signs like Burton's line and basophilic stippling aided in the diagnosis.
- Timely chelation therapy was effective after diagnosis.

## Abstract

Lead poisoning should be considered in patients presenting with unexplained anemia and abdominal pain, even without clear environmental or occupational exposure. Recognizing classic signs such as Burton's line and basophilic stippling enables timely diagnosis and effective chelation therapy.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** lead (PubChem CID 5352425)
- **Diseases:** lead poisoning (MONDO:0018019), anemia (MONDO:0002280)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CRP (C-reactive protein) [NCBI Gene 1401] {aka PTX1}, SLC17A5 (solute carrier family 17 member 5) [NCBI Gene 26503] {aka AST, ISSD, NSD, SD, SIALIN, SIASD}, FECH (ferrochelatase) [NCBI Gene 2235] {aka EPP, EPP1, FCE}, HP (haptoglobin) [NCBI Gene 3240] {aka HP2ALPHA2, HPA1S}, ALAD (aminolevulinate dehydratase) [NCBI Gene 210] {aka ALADH, PBGS}
- **Diseases:** weakness (MESH:D018908), Poisoning (MESH:D011041), gastrointestinal disorders (MESH:D005767), malignancy (MESH:D009369), gallstones (MESH:D042882), substance abuse (MESH:D019966), neuropsychiatric symptoms (MESH:D001523), hepatobiliary disease (MESH:D004066), lethargy (MESH:D053609), Abdominal Pain (MESH:D015746), bowel obstruction (MESH:D012778), Anemia (MESH:D000740), Lead (MESH:D007855), acute porphyria (MESH:D017118), microcytic anemia (MESH:C536357), Iron deficiency anemia (MESH:D018798), reticulocytosis (MESH:D045262), neurological deficits (MESH:D009461), lead colic (MESH:D003085), porphyria (MESH:D011164), hemolysis (MESH:D006461), vomiting (MESH:D014839), thalassemia (MESH:D013789), neurological and renal damage (MESH:D009422), nausea (MESH:D009325), inflammatory bowel disease (MESH:D015212), tenderness (MESH:D063806), constipation (MESH:D003248), fatigue (MESH:D005221), lead intoxication (MESH:D000435)
- **Chemicals:** heme (MESH:D006418), bilirubin (MESH:D001663), ALA (MESH:D000622), glazed (-), porphobilinogen (MESH:D011162), oxygen (MESH:D010100), protoporphyrin IX (MESH:C028025), zinc protoporphyrin (MESH:C017803), pyrimidine nucleotides (MESH:D011742), Lead (MESH:D007854), DMSA (MESH:D004113), folate (MESH:D005492), heavy metal (MESH:D019216), vitamin B12 (MESH:D014805), iron (MESH:D007501)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Meleagris gallopavo (common turkey, species) [taxon 9103]

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949420/full.md

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949420/full.md

## References

8 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949420/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12949420