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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 448-450 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Obstetrics and gynecology |
Volume | 114 |
Issue number | 2 PART 2 SUPPL. |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Obstetrics and Gynecology