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ISSN 0185-3252 (Print)
Revista de la Asociación Médica del Centro Médico ABC

2002, Number 1

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An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC 2002; 47 (1)

Lead poisoning. Case report and review of the literature

Vázquez-Ballesteros E, Maldonado-Miranda P, Videgaray-Ortega F, Moreno-Sánchez F

Language: Spanish
References: 25
Page: 33-37
PDF size: 135.79 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Lead poisoning has become a medical problem of great interest. Lead is widely dispersed in the environment. Ingestion and inhalation are the primary sources of absorption. Intestinal lead absorption is influenced by particle size and chemical state by host factors such as age and nutritional status. Toxicity derives from lead ability to bind sulfhydryl groups of protein and poisoning enzymes and to produce necrosis by denaturation of intracellular proteins. Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning are referable to the nervous, hematologic, renal, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular system. We present the case of 32 year old male with no past medical history who presented with cramps on both legs, one week later he developed sharp abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting. A serum lead level of 86 mg/dL was documented and treatment with D- penicilamina was started. There were no changes in lead serum levels and symptomatology, and 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid was used. An epidemiological study performed did not demonstrate a source of intoxication.


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