When a patient presents after swallowing a lead-containing foreign body, timely assessment and targeted intervention are needed to prevent systemic lead absorption. Abdominal imaging is the initial step in confirming the presence and location of the object.
Acute ingestion of a lead-containing foreign body. Abdominal radiography is indicated to determine whether the object is present and to guide subsequent management.
If imaging confirms the foreign body, gastrointestinal decontamination is the primary intervention — the specific approach and its conditions are set out in the full structured protocol.
Confirmed clearing of lead on follow-up abdominal radiography.
In cases of acute ingestion of a lead-containing foreign body, consider abdominal radiography and whole bowel irrigation or a cleansing enema if radiographic results are positive.
Followup radiography should be performed to assess clearing of lead (Dart et al. 2004; HSDB 2007).
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