ABSTRACT
Twenty patients aged between one and eighteen months (mean six months) were found to have lead encephalopathy. They were seen in one 30-bed ward during a four year period from 1977 to 1980. Blood lead was determined in 19 children and ranged between 2.9 and 12.4 mumol/l (60 and 257 micrograms/dl) mean 5.42 mumol/l (113 micrograms/dl). Two patients died before starting treatment. Of the 18 patients treated with B.A.L. (2.3 dimercaptopropanol) and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid), three died. Eleven patients made an apparently complete recovery and four had neurological sequelae. The source of lead was traced in 18 patients: in 11 it was due to the liberal use of Kohl (also known as surma) commonly used as an eye cosmetic in the Arabian peninsula. Other local sources of lead poisoning are discussed.