Autism Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Autism, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, causes, effects.

A problem with her lead weight.

Newton KE, Leonard M, Delves HT, Bowen-Jones D

SAS Trace Elements, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, LTH NHS Trust, Britannia House, Britannia Road, Morley, Leeds LS27 0DQ, UK. Ken.newton@leedsth.nhs.uk

An autistic patient living in a residential home presented with symptoms of weight loss and abdominal pain. On investigation, she was found to have lead poisoning from an unusual source. Her treatment proved difficult due to failure to cooperate, and a 'best-case' protocol was devised. The positive identification of a source of exposure can be difficult in a single case of exposure, but this was eventually achieved by means of stable lead isotope analysis following painstaking detective work.

Published 14 April 2005 in Ann Clin Biochem, 42: 145-8.
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