Toxic remedy: a case of a 3-year-old child with lead colic treated with lead monoxide (greta).
This article reports the case of a 3-year-old male with an elevated blood lead level. The child had a history of consuming imported lead-contaminated candies resulting in abdominal pains for which he was given a Hispanic folk remedy, called greta, by his mother. The home remedy aggravated the child's symptoms which prompted medical consultation. Analysis of the powdered folk remedy revealed a lead concentration of 140 000 ppm. This case highlights the complexities associated with identifying unfamiliar sources of lead poisoning, and their potential relationships to cultural practices.
Cabb
Elena E
EE
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA.
Gorospe
Emmanuel C
EC
Rothweiler
Anne M
AM
Gerstenberger
Shawn L
SL
D002675:Child, Preschool; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D010087:Oxides / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*
D010087:Oxides; D007854:Lead; C047365:lead oxide