[Lead poisoning--a case report].
Lead poisoning may cause irreversible health defects, including anaemia, central nervous system problems and various organ defects. We describe a patient with lead poisoning. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with anaemia and unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate showed basophilic stippling of erythrocytes suggestive of lead poisoning, which was confirmed by high concentrations of lead in her blood. The lead source was the glazing of a ceramic wine jug. Chelating therapy was started. Haemoglobin was normalised; the patient returned to work after nine months. Correct diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious health problems caused by lead poisoning.
Amundsen
Tore
T
Medisinsk klinikk, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006 Trondheim. tore.amundsen@medisin.ntnu.no
Naess
Inger Anne
IA
Hammerstrøm
Jens
J
Brudevold
Robert
R
Bjerve
Kristian S
KS
D001856:Bone Marrow Examination; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged