[Chronic lead poisoning in childhood: clinical experience].

: Since 1978, 818 children living near an industrial source of pollution have been screened for lead poisoning. Biochemical evidences of increased lead absorption have been found in 114 cases and in 62 of them it was of such degree to guarantee further investigations. Those 62 children received a thorough neuropsychologic evaluation revealing a significant reduction of IQ, learning difficulties, poor concentration and behavioral abnormalities. We also documented an increased rate of abnormal mathafases and breaks of chromatides in children with increased lead absorption compared with age and sex matched controls.