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Mercury poisoning: a rare but treatable cause of failure to thrive and developmental regression in an infant.
Mercury poisoning: a rare but treatable cause of failure to thrive and developmental regression in an infant.
- Source :
-
Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi [Hong Kong Med J] 2009 Feb; Vol. 15 (1), pp. 61-4. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- An infant presented with failure to thrive and developmental regression. Physical examination revealed an irritable child with swollen, erythematous extremities, and elevated blood pressure. Extensive investigations, including a metabolic work-up and neuroimaging, were unrevealing. Exposure to self-purchased medication was initially denied. The physical signs were suggestive of acrodynia. Mercury poisoning was ultimately established by measuring paired blood and urine mercury levels. On further enquiry, it was revealed that the child had been given a Chinese medicinal product for 4 months. He responded well to a chelating agent. Acrodynia is a childhood disease considered to be of historical interest only, but making a diagnosis of mercury poisoning is rewarding because the response to treatment is good. This case highlights the common misconception that alternative medicines are safe and benign.
- Subjects :
- Hong Kong
Humans
Infant
Male
Acrodynia blood
Acrodynia etiology
Acrodynia urine
Complementary Therapies adverse effects
Developmental Disabilities chemically induced
Failure to Thrive chemically induced
Mercury Poisoning blood
Mercury Poisoning diagnosis
Mercury Poisoning physiopathology
Mercury Poisoning urine
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1024-2708
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19197099