Figure 3. Flow chart of children commencing chelation in period analysed, with inclusion and exclusion in analysis and death outcomes.

Lead was attributed as the primary cause of death where there was a high (>100 µg/dl) VBLL within 10 d before death, where there was no other obvious cause, and where lead toxicity could not be excluded as a cause. Lead was attributed as a contributory cause where a serious comorbidity was present (measles, bronchopneumonia, malaria, septicaemia, or severe malnutrition) but with a recent VBLL> 90 µg/dl. Deaths were categorized as “no clear role of lead” where there was another obvious cause (e.g., fell into an open well, anaemic heart failure, or measles) and no recent VBLL> 65 µg/dl. Reasons for not including in the study cohort were not finishing the chelation course (through defaulting or death before end of course) or no VBLL recorded at end of course. *All died during first treatment course. †Two died during first treatment course.