Gunshot Victims With Embedded Fragments: Check for Leaching Lead

Dr John Harrington's Photoclinic case of a young girl who sustained a gunshot wound in a drive-by shooting (Gunshot Wound) highlighted a very important topic. Unfortunately, I have had many similar cases. I would urge-in this patient and in others who have embedded metal fragments-that clinicians do routine lead level measurements and blood work to check for anemia. An embedded bullet can leach lead into the bloodstream, resulting in a significantly elevated lead level.

For further information on how best to monitor such patients for chronic lead exposure, I suggest contacting the local public health department.

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