Toxic Remedy: A Case of a 3-Year-Old Child With Lead Colic Treated With Lead Monoxide (Greta)

Abstract

This article reports the case of a 3-year-old male with an elevated blood lead level. The child had a history of consuming imported lead-contaminated candies resulting in abdominal pains for which he was given a Hispanic folk remedy, called greta, by his mother. The home remedy aggravated the child's symptoms which prompted medical consultation. Analysis of the powdered folk remedy revealed a lead concentration of 140 000 ppm. This case highlights the complexities associated with identifying unfamiliar sources of lead poisoning, and their potential relationships to cultural practices.

Keywords

lead poisoning lead monoxide alternative therapies child

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