Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report
Introduction Chronic mercury exposure in children first described in the late 1940s causes acrodynia and neurological symptoms. In recent years, cases have emerged due to occupational or household exposures. This case report describes a child presenting with chronic mercury exposure resulting from u...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Toxicology Communications |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24734306.2025.2542997 |
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| author | T. Mabala C. R. Stephen A. P. Ndondo G. Riordan C. Hlela |
| author_facet | T. Mabala C. R. Stephen A. P. Ndondo G. Riordan C. Hlela |
| author_sort | T. Mabala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Chronic mercury exposure in children first described in the late 1940s causes acrodynia and neurological symptoms. In recent years, cases have emerged due to occupational or household exposures. This case report describes a child presenting with chronic mercury exposure resulting from unusual household sources.Case A previously healthy 2-year-old male was admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital with a 3-month history of progressive hypotonia, hypersalivation, and constipation. Physical examination revealed motor regression, encephalopathy, global hypotonia, and acrodynia. Mercury toxicity was suspected and confirmed with elevated serum and urine mercury concentrations of 40.9 µg/L (reference range <5 µg/L) and 260.65 µg/L (reference range <5 µg/L), respectively. Further investigation uncovered household exposure to liquid mercury (jewellery cleaner), mercury-containing light bulbs (manufacture of “tik lollies” or methamphetamine pipes), and to lead solder. The child was removed from the home environment, underwent chelation therapy, and significantly improved.Discussion Chronic mercury toxicity in children can cause various symptoms, including acrodynia and neurotoxicity, and requires strong clinical suspicion. While household mercury exposure is a recognized concern, a thorough investigation into uncommon sources is essential. Improper use of heavy metal containing products in poorly ventilated spaces can significantly increase toxicity risks in children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b877fbe659fa4ebf83f7ec8a7cbb97d4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2473-4306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxicology Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-b877fbe659fa4ebf83f7ec8a7cbb97d42025-08-20T04:01:08ZengTaylor & Francis GroupToxicology Communications2473-43062025-12-019110.1080/24734306.2025.2542997Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case reportT. Mabala0C. R. Stephen1A. P. Ndondo2G. Riordan3C. Hlela4Division of Dermatology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaPoisons Information Centre, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaPaediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaDivision of Dermatology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South AfricaIntroduction Chronic mercury exposure in children first described in the late 1940s causes acrodynia and neurological symptoms. In recent years, cases have emerged due to occupational or household exposures. This case report describes a child presenting with chronic mercury exposure resulting from unusual household sources.Case A previously healthy 2-year-old male was admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital with a 3-month history of progressive hypotonia, hypersalivation, and constipation. Physical examination revealed motor regression, encephalopathy, global hypotonia, and acrodynia. Mercury toxicity was suspected and confirmed with elevated serum and urine mercury concentrations of 40.9 µg/L (reference range <5 µg/L) and 260.65 µg/L (reference range <5 µg/L), respectively. Further investigation uncovered household exposure to liquid mercury (jewellery cleaner), mercury-containing light bulbs (manufacture of “tik lollies” or methamphetamine pipes), and to lead solder. The child was removed from the home environment, underwent chelation therapy, and significantly improved.Discussion Chronic mercury toxicity in children can cause various symptoms, including acrodynia and neurotoxicity, and requires strong clinical suspicion. While household mercury exposure is a recognized concern, a thorough investigation into uncommon sources is essential. Improper use of heavy metal containing products in poorly ventilated spaces can significantly increase toxicity risks in children.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24734306.2025.2542997Mercury toxicityacrodyniapaediatricenvironmental contaminationcase report |
| spellingShingle | T. Mabala C. R. Stephen A. P. Ndondo G. Riordan C. Hlela Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report Toxicology Communications Mercury toxicity acrodynia paediatric environmental contamination case report |
| title | Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report |
| title_full | Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report |
| title_short | Acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure: a case report |
| title_sort | acrodynia in a child due to household mercury exposure a case report |
| topic | Mercury toxicity acrodynia paediatric environmental contamination case report |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/24734306.2025.2542997 |
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