Diagnostic significance of edetate disodium calcium testing in children with increased lead absorption.

Conventional screening tests (blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels) may not accurately reflect the magnitude of lead storage in children with mild to moderate increases in lead absorption, as assessed by edetate disodium calcium testing. Children with blood lead levels higher than 30 micrograms/dL and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels higher than 50 micrograms/dL warrant careful measurement of the size of chelatable, potentially toxic lead stores. Edetate disodium calcium testing provides a more precise basis for therapeutic decisions in a child with mild to moderate increases in lead absorption.