Can lead poisoning specifically damage the appendix

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QUESTION: Can lead poisoning specifically damage the appendix, 26 Aug 2006, Massachusetts United States of America

My (now 5 yr. old) daughter sustained elevated lead levels at the age of 2. She had a (venous) level of 17. On Aug 11 06 she had an emergency appendectomy. Her appendix was very infected. I've read that a subsequent health issue can be organ damage. I would greatly appreciate any info. by E-mail or regular mail that may be available. I have not seen anything specific to the appendix.
Sincerely,
Kim Cole

ANSWER: 26 Aug 2006

Dear Kim,
I always knew "lead" was a difficult word to search the web for, but "appendix" in combination with "lead" is impossible! I too found nothing online. In our nearly 9,000 articles in our library we only have one linking the appendix with lead but it does not seem relevant.

See attached "Appendicitis Due to Bird Shot Ingestion: A Case Study. By Larsen, Angie R; Blanton, Robert H. Am Surg. 2000 Jun;66(6):589-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10888137 - Presented at the 68th Annual Meeting, South eastern Surgical Congress, Orlando, Florida, February 5-8, 2000." just in case it is relevant.
I shall ask an egroup of lead poisoning professionals if anyone has ever heard of a connection and send you any responses I get.
All the best
Yours Sincerely
Elizabeth O'Brien

Also see Health Impacts of Lead Poisoning