_____ = mercury poisoning in children presenting with pink coloration, pain, swelling, peeling skin, failure to thrive, and delayed walking/talking.

• A. Acrodynia
• B. Mercury poisoning
• C. Mees lines
• D. Pink disease

Answer: (A)

Acrodynia is a pediatric mercury poisoning syndrome defined by a pinkish coloration of the hands and feet (pink disease) along with pain, swelling, peeling skin, failure to thrive, and delays in walking or talking. This specific clinical picture is the hallmark of acrodynia, the mercury-related syndrome in children. Pink disease is another name for the same condition, but the best label for this presentation is acrodynia. Mees lines are nail changes seen with arsenic exposure and don’t describe this mercury-related pediatric syndrome, and while mercury poisoning is the broader condition, the described features point to the distinct acrodynia presentation.