Fatal lead encephalopathy following foreign body ingestion: case report.
A 23-month-old female child presented to an emergency department with a mild, nonspecific gastrointestinal illness and periodic fussiness and irritability; the initial physical examination was nonfocal and nondiagnostic. Rapid decompensation quickly ensued. Postmortem examination of hematologic laboratory data and reevaluation of radiographs showed a metallic foreign body in the stomach. Diagnosis of rapidly fatal lead encephalopathy was confirmed by finding toxic serum lead and elevated delta-aminolevulinic (ALA) levels in postmortem blood.
Hugelmeyer
C D
CD
Division of Emergency Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
Moorhead
J C
JC
Horenblas
L
L
Bayer
M J
MJ
D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004064:Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications*; D006795:Household Products; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*