Background

In France, the prevalence of childhood lead poisoning is becoming rare since the avoidance of lead in paints in 1949 and the gradual replacement of water pipes. Chronic lead toxicity is well known and is well correlated to blood lead concentration.

Aim

Here we report a case of severe lead poisoning occurring in a young female child with a pica behavior.

Methods

A blood sample and four environmental samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Lead concentration, lead isotopes and elemental ratios were compared.

Results

The determination of ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and Cd/Pb has allowed us to identify the origin of lead poisoning.

Discussion-conclusion

The source of contamination was eliminated and the child benefited from a psychological and medical follow up. Her outcome was positive. This case illustrated the potential interest of the use of elemental and isotopic ratios for clinical practice as the ICP-MS measurement has allowed a quick response and a rapid eviction of the contamination’s source.

中文翻译：

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基于铅同位素和元素比确定婴儿土星现象的起源。

背景

在法国，自从 1949 年避免油漆中的铅和逐步更换水管以来，儿童铅中毒的流行率变得越来越少。慢性铅中毒是众所周知的，并且与血铅浓度密切相关。

目的

在这里，我们报告了一例发生在有异食癖行为的小女孩身上的严重铅中毒事件。

方法

使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法 (ICP-MS) 分析了一个血液样本和四个环境样本。比较了铅浓度、铅同位素和元素比率。

结果

²⁰⁸ Pb / ²⁰⁶ Pb、²⁰⁶ Pb / ²⁰⁷ Pb 和Cd / Pb的测定使我们能够确定铅中毒的来源。

讨论结论

污染源被消除，孩子受益于心理和医学随访，她的结果是积极的。这个案例说明了在临床实践中使用元素和同位素比率的潜在利益，因为 ICP-MS 测量允许快速响应和快速驱逐污染源。