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A case of lead poisoning due to snooker chalk
P I Dargan1, P H Evans, I M House
1Medical Toxicology Unit, Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Trust, Avonley Road, London SE14 5ER, UK. paul.dargan@gstt.sthames.nhs.uk
Insights
A child with pica ingested snooker chalk, leading to significant lead poisoning. Prompt chelation therapy successfully reduced blood lead levels, highlighting the need for awareness of uncommon lead exposure sources.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Pica, the compulsive consumption of non-food items, is a known risk factor for childhood poisoning.
- Lead poisoning remains a significant public health concern, particularly in young children.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old child with pica presented with elevated blood lead levels (1.74 micromol/L).
- The identified source of lead exposure was snooker chalk, containing high levels of lead (7200 microg/g).
Findings:
- Intravenous calcium disodium edetate chelation was administered for treatment.
- Follow-up after 30 months showed a substantial reduction in blood lead concentration to 0.39 micromol/L.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering unusual environmental sources of lead exposure in children with pica.
- Healthcare providers should maintain vigilance for non-traditional causes of lead poisoning in pediatric cases.
Abstract:
A 3 year, 9 month old child with pica presented with a blood lead concentration of 1.74 micromol/l (360 microg/l). The source of poisoning was snooker chalk (lead content 7200 microg/g). She was treated with intravenous calcium disodium edetate chelation. Thirty months later her blood lead was 0.39 micromol/l (80 microg/l). This case illustrates the need to be vigilant for more unusual causes of lead poisoning in the home.