Efficacy of succimer chelation of mercury at background exposures in toddlers: a randomized trial.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether succimer, a mercaptan compound known to reduce blood lead concentration in children, reduces blood mercury concentration.


METHODS
We used samples from a randomized clinical trial of succimer chelation for lead-exposed children. We measured mercury levels in pre-treatment samples from 767 children. We also measured mercury levels in blood samples drawn 1 week after treatment began (n = 768) and in a 20% random sample of the children who received the maximum 3 courses of treatment (n = 67). A bootstrap-based isotonic regression method was used to compare the trend with time in the difference between the adjusted mean mercury concentrations in the succimer group and that in the placebo group.


RESULTS
The adjusted mean organic mercury concentration in the succimer group relative to the placebo group fell from 99% at baseline to 82% after 3 courses of treatment (P for trend = .048), but this resulted from the prevention of the age-related increase in the succimer group.


CONCLUSIONS
Succimer chelation for low level organic mercury exposure in children has limited efficacy.
Cao
Yang
Y
Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Chen
Aimin
A
Jones
Robert L
RL
Radcliffe
Jerilynn
J
Dietrich
Kim N
KN
Caldwell
Kathleen L
KL
Peddada
Shyamal
S
Rogan
Walter J
WJ
D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D057230:Limit of Detection; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000097:blood; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004113:Succimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States
D002614:Chelating Agents; D004113:Succimer; D008628:Mercury