Which chelating agent is commonly used orally to treat mild to moderate lead poisoning in children?

Which chelating agent is commonly used orally to treat mild to moderate lead poisoning in children?

• A. Succimer
• B. Deferoxamine
• C. Dimercaprol
• D. EDTA

Answer: (A)

Oral chelation is preferred for mild to moderate lead poisoning in children because it allows outpatient treatment with good tolerability and a straightforward administration route. Succimer (dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a water-soluble chelating agent given by mouth that binds lead in blood and tissues and promotes its excretion in urine. This makes it well-suited for pediatric cases where the poisoning is not life-threatening or encephalopathic. Other chelators used for lead are either injectable and carry more toxicity (such as dimercaprol), or given intravenously for more severe cases (like calcium disodium EDTA), while deferoxamine is used for iron overload, not lead. Therefore, succimer is the best choice for treating mild to moderate lead poisoning in children.

Oral chelation is preferred for mild to moderate lead poisoning in children because it allows outpatient treatment with good tolerability and a straightforward administration route. Succimer (dimercaptosuccinic acid) is a water-soluble chelating agent given by mouth that binds lead in blood and tissues and promotes its excretion in urine. This makes it well-suited for pediatric cases where the poisoning is not life-threatening or encephalopathic. Other chelators used for lead are either injectable and carry more toxicity (such as dimercaprol), or given intravenously for more severe cases (like calcium disodium EDTA), while deferoxamine is used for iron overload, not lead. Therefore, succimer is the best choice for treating mild to moderate lead poisoning in children.