Chelation Therapy

Iron overload may occur in any patient receiving intermittent transfusions for acute illness, chronic transfusion therapy, or in those having received an intensive period of frequent transfusion. Institution of chelation therapy relative to transfusion frequency is based on institutional practice. Concomitant administration of ascorbic acid increases the excretion of iron when given with chelation. Lead poisoning is an environmental disease that has undergone a major evolution in the past few decades. Recognition of the devastating neurologic effects of high lead levels and knowledge of the causes have led to universal efforts to decrease environmental lead contamination, with a resultant decrease in measured blood lead levels in children over the past two to three decades. Prevention and treatment of lead toxicity remains a major public health concern, and efforts for screening have primarily focused on high‐risk populations. The primary aims of management are prevention of future lead exposure and resultant absorption, as well as enhancement of excretion.