Abstract
Lead is a significant occupational and environmental hazard. Battery industry is one of the settings related to lead intoxication. Published information on the use of oral chelating agents for the treatment of anaemia in the context of acute lead intoxication is limited. The patient was a 33 year immigrant female worker in a battery manufacture for 3 months. She complained for malaise that has been developed over the past two weeks. Pallor of skin and conjunctiva was the only sign found in physical examination. The blood test on admission revealed normochromic anaemia. Endoscopic investigation of the gastrointestinal system was negative for bleeding. The bone marrow biopsy was unrevealing.At baseline no attention has been paid to patient's occupational history. Afterwards the patient's occupational history has been re-evaluated and she has been screened for lead intoxication. The increased levels of the lead related biomarkers of exposure and effect confirmed the diagnosis. The patient received an oral chelating agent and an improvement in clinical picture, and levels of haematological and lead related biochemical parameters have been recorded. No side effect and no rebound effect were observed. This case report emphasizes the importance of the occupational history in the context of the differential diagnosis. Moreover, this report indicates that lead remains a significant occupational hazard especially in the small scale battery industry
Highlights
Lead is a significant occupational and environmental hazard
Published information on the use of oral chelating agents for the treatment of anemia in the context of acute lead intoxication is limited [9,10]. In this case report we present a case of a patient suffering from acute occupational lead poisoning occupationally exposed to lead who underwent successful chelation by the use of an oral chelating agent
We presented a case of acute lead intoxication in a female worker in Small Size battery factory
Summary
Lead is a significant occupational and environmental hazard. Lead poisoning has been identified as an occupational hazard from ancient times. Published information on the use of oral chelating agents for the treatment of anemia in the context of acute lead intoxication is limited [9,10]. In this case report we present a case of a patient suffering from acute occupational lead poisoning occupationally exposed to lead who underwent successful chelation by the use of an oral chelating agent. The diagnosis of acute lead intoxication has been established, and the patient has received a 19 day course of the oral chelating agent succimer (Chemet). A considerable reduction in the levels of the biological indicators of exposure (blood lead) and effect (δ-ALA, urine) have been observed (Table 2). The patient didn't report any side-effect during the administration of the chelating agent
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