Occupational Lead Poisoning in a Patient with Acute Abdomen and Normocytic Anemia

Intern Med. 2020;59(12):1565-1570. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.4176-19. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Abstract

We herein report a 24-year-old male construction worker with occupational lead poisoning who presented with acute abdomen and normocytic anemia. The levels of urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin were elevated without any increase in the level of urine porphobilinogen. Detection of an elevated blood lead level of 100 μg/dL confirmed a diagnosis of lead poisoning. Chelation therapy with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate resulted in prompt improvement of the clinical symptoms and the blood lead level. Clinicians should be aware that lead poisoning caused by occupational exposure can still occur sporadically in construction workers in Japan.

Keywords: abdominal colic; construction worker; lead; normocytic anemia; occupational exposure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen, Acute / blood
  • Abdomen, Acute / etiology*
  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Lead / blood
  • Lead Poisoning / complications
  • Lead Poisoning / diagnosis*
  • Lead Poisoning / therapy
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / complications
  • Occupational Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Occupational Diseases / therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Lead