PEDIATRICS Vol. 51 No. 2 February 1973, pp. 254-259
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Piomelli, S.
Right arrow Articles by Gay, G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Piomelli, S.
Right arrow Articles by Gay, G.

THE FEP (FREE ERYTHROCYTE PORPHYRINS) TEST: A SCREENING MICROMETHOD FOR LEAD POISONING

Sergio Piomelli M.D.1, Bernard Davidow Ph.D.1, Vincent F. Guinee M.D.1, Patricia Young B.S.1, and Giselle Gay B.S.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, New York University Medical Center and The New York City Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories and Bureau of Lead Poisoning Control

The FEP test is a micromethod that measures rapidly and reliably free erythrocyte porphyrins in a blood sample of 20µl. The results of the FEP test increase exponentially with the blood Pb level.

The FEP test was performed in 1,038 blood specimens submitted to the New York City Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories for Pb analysis. Of these, 568 had Pb levels ge 40µg/100 ml. The concentration of FEP was higher than 250µg/100 ml RBC (positive FEP test) in all the samples with greatly increased blood Pb level (ge 60µg/100 ml), in 55.1% of those with ambiguous blood Pb level (40 to 59µg/100 ml), and in 5.1% of those with low Pb level (< 40µg/100 ml).

The FEP test provides a biological indicator of undue lead absorption, suitable for rapid screening of children for lead poisoning. The test can easily be performed by any clinical laboratory.

Submitted on July 20, 1972
Accepted on August 29, 1972




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 CLIN PEDIATRHome page
M. E. O'Connor
CaEDTA vs CaEDTA Plus BAL to Treat Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
Clinical Pediatrics, July 1, 1992; 31(7): 386 - 390.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
J. Valciukas, R Lilis, A Fischbein, I. Selikoff, J Eisinger, and W. Blumberg
Central nervous system dysfunction due to lead exposure
Science, August 4, 1978; 201(4354): 465 - 467.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
A. A. Lamola and T. Yamane
Zinc Protoporphyrin in the Erythrocytes of Patients with Lead Intoxication and Iron Deficiency Anemia
Science, December 6, 1974; 186(4167): 936 - 938.
[Abstract] [PDF]