Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Noninvasive Electrocardiography in the Perinatal Mouse
04:36

Noninvasive Electrocardiography in the Perinatal Mouse

Published on: June 12, 2020

5.8K

Congenital lead poisoning: an unusual presentation

Ipsita Mazumdar1, K Goswami2

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, KPC Medical College & Hospital, Jadavpur, West Bengal India.

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry : IJCB
|April 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights severe lead poisoning in a breastfed infant due to an uncommon source. Early diagnosis and chelation therapy effectively treated the child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Lead poisoning is a significant environmental health hazard for children, posing both acquired and congenital risks.
  • Identifying the source of lead exposure is crucial for effective treatment and prevention.

Observation:

  • A 6-month-old male infant presented with failure to thrive, poor feeding, and persistent vomiting.
  • Clinical presentation included severe anemia (Hb 5.4 gm/dl), elevated liver enzymes, and a high blood lead level (83 μg/dl).
  • Red blood cell morphology revealed basophilic stippling and Cabot rings, indicative of lead intoxication.

Findings:

  • The infant was diagnosed with severe lead poisoning.
  • Treatment with calcium versenate (EDTACaNa2) resulted in successful lead mobilization from the body.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering lead poisoning even with unusual exposure routes in infants.
  • Prompt diagnosis and chelation therapy are vital for managing severe lead intoxication in pediatric patients.
  • Awareness of potential environmental lead sources is critical for pediatricians and public health officials.

Keywords:
AnemiaBasophilic stipplingLead poisoning

More Related Videos

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation06:59

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Published on: February 29, 2020

7.5K
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants07:08

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

8.1K

Related Concept Videos

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
2.0K
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
229
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
116
Toxic Reactions: Overview01:26

Toxic Reactions: Overview

When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
4.2K
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic...
53
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
3.7K