Citation

Tezer H, Kaya A, Kalkan G, Erkoçoğlu M, Ozturk K, Buyuktasli M. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2012; 28(11): 1236-1237.

Affiliation

From the *Department of Pediatrics, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine; and †Department of Pediatrics, Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Children's and Research Hospital, Diskapi, Ankara, Turkey.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0b013e31827208b0

PMID

23128656

Abstract

Clinical features of mercury poisoning are nonspecific, and a detailed history is very valuable. The silvery, shiny appearance of mercury makes it very exciting and attractive for children. The overall half-life of elemental mercury in the body averages approximately 2 months. Chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid is the treatment of choice if the urine or blood level of mercury is high or the symptoms are profound. Here, we describe a 14-year-old boy with fever, respiratory distress, and body rash. Investigation leading to a diagnosis of mercury poisoning was made only after his mother presented with the similar symptoms a few days later.

Language: en