Mercury poisoning of a 4-year-old child by indirect contact to a mercury-containing facial cream: A case report

We report the severe mercury poisoning of a 4-year-old child by so far unknown route exposure, namely, skin-to-skin contact. The was admitted to hospital with episodic pain in his extremities, tachycardia, hypertension, increased sweating, behavioral changes and weight loss. Extensive examinations eventually revealed an acute poisoning. initial levels were 19 µg/L urine (reference level 0.4 µg/L) 37 blood 0.8 µg/L). A facial cream bought online, containing approximately 18% mercury, identified as primary source intoxication. symptoms improved after disposal chelation therapy. Further analyses, home visits interviews suggested that accidently intoxicated contact mother, although other routes exposure such dust ingestion surface-to-skin cannot be excluded. samples family members well domestic decreased considerably over time.