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A child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Household exposure to environmental toxins can lead to severe health issues in children.
- Assessing environmental risks is crucial for preventing pediatric poisoning.
Observation:
- A toddler presented with ataxia and anemia, exhibiting basophilic stippling.
- The patient's symptoms indicated potential lead poisoning.
Findings:
- Confirmed lead poisoning with a blood lead level of 167 µg/dL.
- Family members also showed elevated blood lead levels (≥50 µg/dL) due to burning car batteries for cooking.
- Treatment involved EDTA and BAL chelation therapy.
Implications:
- Highlights the severe risks of burning car batteries for domestic purposes.
- Underscores the importance of identifying and mitigating environmental lead exposure sources in households.
- Emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and intervention in pediatric lead poisoning cases.
Abstract:
A 1 year and 9 month old patient was admitted with ataxia. CBC showed a microcytic, hypocromic anemia with intense basophilic sttipling of erythrocytes. Lead poisoning was suspected and confirmed with a blood lead level of 167 micrograms/dl. The patient was treated with EDTA and BAL. It was discovered that family burned old car batteries for food cooking. Four members were intoxicated, with blood lead levels at or above 50 micrograms/dl.