Abstract
A 14-month-old girl presented with elevated lead levels and a metallic foreign body was detected on abdominal radiograph. Subsequent evaluation, performed after the child failed to pass the foreign body with cathartics, revealed a bezoar proximal to a partial duodenal obstruction. The metallic foreign body was later removed and found to contain lead, however, the patient has subsequently had recurrent elevations of lead levels with episodes of pica. This case reiterates the need to evaluate children with retained foreign bodies for lead poisoning due to associated pica. In addition, retained foreign bodies should point to possible congenital anomaly of the duodenum causing partial obstruction.
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References
Wiley JF, Henretig FM, Selbst SM (1992) Blood lead levels in children with foreign bodies. Pediatrics 89: 593–596
Kassner EG, Rose AS, Kottmeier PK, Schnieder M, Gollow GM (1975) Retention of small foreign objects in the stomach and duodenum. Radiology 114: 683–686
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Sprinkle, J.D., Hingsbergen, E.A. Retained foreign body: associations with elevated lead levels, pica, and duodenal anomaly. Pediatr Radiol 25, 528–529 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02015785
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02015785