title: Mercury poisoning: a diagnostic challenge.
abstract: Clinical features of mercury poisoning are nonspecific, and a detailed history is very valuable. The silvery, shiny appearance of mercury makes it very exciting and attractive for children. The overall half-life of elemental mercury in the body averages approximately 2 months. Chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid is the treatment of choice if the urine or blood level of mercury is high or the symptoms are profound. Here, we describe a 14-year-old boy with fever, respiratory distress, and body rash. Investigation leading to a diagnosis of mercury poisoning was made only after his mother presented with the similar symptoms a few days later.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tezer
authors.forename: Aysenur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kalkan
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erkocoglu
authors.forename: Kubra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Muge
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buyuktasli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008630:Mercury Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D010396:Penicillamine