Citation

Shamshirsaz AA, Yankowitz J, Rijhsinghani A, Greiner A, Holstein SA, Niebyl JR. Obstet. Gynecol. 2009; 114(2): 448-450.

Affiliation

Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/AOG.0b013e31818f55d9

PMID

19622956

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: The public and some health care providers regard complementary and alternative medications as safe. There is no scientific basis for that belief, but there is evidence of poor quality control and toxicity of some remedies. CASE:: A white pregnant woman presented with diffuse, acute abdominal pain ultimately diagnosed as lead poisoning due to the use of traditional Asian Indian health supplements. CONCLUSION:: Use of traditional medicines may extend beyond the ethnic group in which the traditional medicine originated. When symptoms warrant, poisoning with lead or other heavy metals should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Language: en