Misleading Gastrointestinal Symptoms The Ongoing Story of Chronic Lead Intoxication

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Macedo G (Author) FMUP; Lopes, S (Author) Other; Peixoto, A (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

Vol. 50

Pages: 769-771

ISSN: 0192-0790

Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-3ZV

DOI: 10.1097/mcg.0000000000000453

Abstract (EN): Inorganic lead intoxication has emerged as an important and challenging clinical problem owing to increased awareness of lead and enhanced surveillance of exposed individuals. However, recognition may not be very difficult when there is an obvious history of exposure. Our interest began a few years ago when we could trace an outbreak, following a patient who was admitted with colickly abdominal pain, convulsions, and coma. After that, 16 more cases were identified and characterized. All patients recovered completely after adequate chelation therapy. Although the clinical picture of lead intoxication is pleomorphic, the increased awareness of gastroenterologists in this subject may possibly bring chronically complaining difficult patients to an earlier, unexpected, and fairly treatable disease.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 3