Is Your Child at Risk for Lead Poisoning?

Toddler boy playing with blocks

By Dr. Ruchi Kaushik
General Pediatrics
CHRISTUS Children’s

 

Affecting almost 1 million children in the United States, lead poisoning remains the most preventable environmental health problem. Any child may be at risk for lead toxicity. If you are the parent of a child six years and younger, read on to learn about the risks, prevention, screening, and treatment of lead poisoning.

Children may be exposed to lead by:

  • putting their hands in their mouths after touching old paint or toys with lead dust
  • breathing in lead dust from old paint
  • eating chips or dirt containing lead
  • drinking water from pipes lined or soldered with lead

After entering the body, lead travels in the bloodstream and is stored in the bones, where it may remain for a lifetime.

High levels of lead in the body may cause long-term health problems including developmental delays, hearing loss, seizures and coma, kidney problems, anemia, and growth problems. A blood lead level of five or less is considered normal. Even a level of 10 may affect learning and behavior.

Lead may be found in:

  • dust and paint chips from old paint
  • homes built before 1950
  • homes built before 1978 that are being renovated
  • soil
  • hobby materials (stained glass, paints, solders, fishing weights, buckshot)
  • workplace dust brought home on clothing of people who have jobs using lead (foundry workers, smelter workers, radiator repair mechanics)
  • food stored in ceramic dishes
  • older painted toys and antique furniture
  • tap water in older homes
  • automobile batteries

The current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics is to screen a child for lead poisoning at the ages of one and two years. By six years, your pediatrician will ask you several questions to assess your child’s risk of toxicity. Screening involves a simple blood test performed by pricking your child’s finger.

Treatment for low levels of lead in the blood is identifying and eliminating the sources of lead in the child’s environment. An elevated blood lead level is a county health reportable disease, and county health departments aid families in pinpointing their child’s root cause of lead toxicity.

Children with high levels of lead in the blood usually need to take medication, as a series of shots or by mouth, that binds lead and helps the body get rid of it. Severe damage may require special schooling and therapy.

For more information about lead poisoning, visit the American of Academy of Pediatrics www.healthychildren.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov websites.

If you would like your child screened for lead poisoning, call your pediatrician. If you need help finding a pediatrician for your child, visit this page to find a doctor for your child.

Find a Pediatrician

Search Now

Learn More

Adelayne I'm breathing on my own today sign

Adelayne’s Story

Gianna and Austin Gill were thrilled when they found out they were expecting another baby.

Read the latest stories from CHRISTUS Health Experts

A mother's tale of hope and healing at CHRISTUS Children’s

After the birth of her third baby, a mother finds herself in a difficult situation when two of her children require intensive care at the same time.

Navigating Child Vaccinations: How Your Pediatrician Can Help

Protect your children’s health with vaccines. Vaccines are safe, effective, and important to help protect your child from serious diseases. 

Does Your Child Have an Asthma Action Plan?

Ensuring a smooth transition back to school includes preparing your child's Asthma Action Plan. Find out how you can create an Asthma Action Plan for your child.

9 Tips to Prepare Your Child for the New School year

Getting back into the routine of school is always challenging, but it will be extremely challenging if you do not prepare. Here are nine ways you can help your child prepare for the school year now.