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Toy Jewelry Lead PoisonThe case of this little boy is now described in considerable detail in the current issue of Pediatrics. It seems that the child first suffered stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea for about three weeks, then he lost weight and became anemic. After the child suffered a seizure, his blood lead levels were checked and found to be greatly elevated. An X-ray of his stomach disclosed a "metallic foreign body" that was then removed by endoscopy. This metallic object turned out to be a jewelry medallion comprised of 38.8% lead. The authors recommend that all children who ingest metallic foreign bodies undergo blood lead level testing, which should be repeated within 24 hours if levels are elevated. Postscript: The CPSC explained in a letter to the toy jewelry manufacturer and distributor that, "Children who wear the recalled toy jewelry can ingest the lead by handling the lead-containing jewelry and putting their hands in their mouths, by directly mouthing the jewelry, or by ingesting either parts or whole pieces of the jewelry." The CPSC belatedly pointed out that the necklaces in question contain are banned under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and should never have been imported (from India) in the first place. Comment: This single pediatric case serves to remind all of us that lead can be present in objects routinely accessible to children and that clinicians, parents and caregivers for children need to be especially alert to this possibility. Barbara K. Hecht,Ph.D.
Frederick Hecht, M.D.
Medical Editors, MedicineNet.com Related Links
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