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Identification of the origin of infantile saturnism based on lead isotopic and elemental ratios

Benedicte Lelievre1, Chloe Bruneau2, Marion Legeay2

  • 1Laboratoire de pharmacologie-toxicologie, CHU Angers, France; Groupe d'Étude des Interactions Hôte-Pathogène (GEIHP) EA 3142, Université d'Angers-Université de Brest, Angers, France.

Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology : Organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)
|July 31, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights severe lead poisoning in a child with pica. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) identified the lead source, enabling prompt intervention and positive outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Childhood lead poisoning is decreasing in France due to reduced lead use in paints and water systems.
  • Chronic lead toxicity is a known health concern, directly correlated with blood lead levels.

Observation:

  • A young female child presented with severe lead poisoning.
  • The child exhibited pica behavior, a potential indicator of lead exposure.

Findings:

  • Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze blood and environmental samples.
  • Lead isotope ratios (e.g., 208Pb/206Pb, 206Pb/207Pb) and cadmium-to-lead ratios (Cd/Pb) successfully identified the contamination source.

Implications:

  • The identified lead source was eliminated, leading to a positive outcome for the child.
  • Elemental and isotopic ratio analysis via ICP-MS offers valuable clinical insights for rapid diagnosis and source identification in lead poisoning cases.
Abstract

Keywords:
Elements ratioICP-MSIsotopicLead poisoning

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