Lead Poisoning—Child
by
Amy Scholten, MPH DefinitionLead is a toxic metal in the environment. In children, lead poisoning is a blood level of lead that is 20 mcg/dL or more. It can lead to brain damage. CausesLead poisoning is caused by eating, drinking, or breathing in tiny pieces of lead. This can happen quickly or over a period of time. The most common causes are exposure to:
Risk FactorsThis problem is more common in children under 5 years of age. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsChildren with lead poisoning may not have symptoms. Those who do may have:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. A blood test can diagnose lead poisoning. This test may also be done in young children as part of a routine appointment. TreatmentTreatment depends on the severity of lead poisoning. It may include:
Sources of lead will need to be removed from the child's environment. Public health officials can help. PreventionThe risk of lead poisoning can be lowered by removing sources of lead from a child's environment. RESOURCES:Environmental Protection Agency https://www.epa.gov National Safety Council http://www.nsc.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:About Kids Health—The Hospital for Sick Children http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety http://www.ccohs.ca References:Hauptman M, Bruccoleri R, et al. An update on childhood lead poisoning.Clin Pediatr Emerg Med. 2017 Sep; 18(3): 181–192. Lead.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead.
Accessed January 11, 2021. Lead. Environmental Protection Agency website. Available at:
https://www.epa.gov/lead. Accessed January 11, 2021.
Lead poisoning in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/lead-poisoning-in-children. Accessed January 11, 2021.
Last reviewed February 2020 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Marcin Chwistek, MD Last Updated: 1/11/2021 | |
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