Korean J Med.
2004 Jun;66(6):617-624.
A review of lead poisoning cases reported for recent 30 years in Korea
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hanil-General Hospital, Seoul, Korea. ainniz@chol.net
Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Because of widespread and long-term use of lead, many lead poisoning cases were reported. Especially, in Korea including Southeast Asia, we observed non-occupational lead poisoning cases by herbal medication.
METHODS
We identified total 45 cases of lead poisoning through Medric search, from 1973 to 2002. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed. We arranged cases by attributes following 1) reported year, 2) age, 3) sex, 4) exposure sources, 5) exposure duration, 6) clinical manifestation, 7) treatments.
RESULTS
The average age of the patients was 41.4 +/- 15.7 year-old. The distribution by sex did not have difference each other. The non-occupational lead poisoning cases were mostly caused by Chinese herbal medication. On the cases of the herbal lead poisoning, average exposure duration was 7.3 +/- 3.8 months and the various dosages were taken from 5 mg to 3 g. The major clinical symptoms were abdominal pain, headache, and constipation. The typical laboratory finding was anemia. Major treatment agent was oral penicillamine.
CONCLUSION
To differential diagnose of the lead poisoning from many diseases with similar symptoms is very difficult solely on the clinical aspect. Especially, in non-occupational cases it is more difficult. In Korea, non-occupational lead poisoning cases by herbal medication have been discovered more than in western countries. We reviewed about the lead poisoning cases since 1973, so we want to make an aware of scientific and rational making and management of lead in the health supplementary food and herbal medicine.
