Personal Injury Lawyer

Lead Poisoning In Children

Though severe lead poisoning in children is now rare, in the United Sates alone over 310,000 children are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood each year. This article is intended as a basic guide and will cover the most frequently asked questions about lead poisoning in children. Young children should always be tested for lead. Please see your doctor if you have any suspicions about lead poisoning in your child or yourself.

What are the signs of lead poisoning in children?

The levels of lead in the bloodstream dictate the severity of the signs of lead poisoning. Higher levels of lead can cause the following symptoms:

• Stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting or constipation
• Persistent fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Seizures

Some of the more subtle signs may occur with lower levels of lead in the body. They include:

• Irritability or aggressiveness
• Hyperactivity or impulsiveness
• Learning impairment
• Developmental delays
• Lack of interest in play
• Loss of appetite
• Pale skin from anemia
• Pica (eating dirt, paint and other non-food items)
• Weight loss

How does a doctor diagnose lead poisoning in children?

At check-ups parents are required to fill out a survey concerning their child's health. Some of the questions attempt to find out of the child is at a higher risk of lead poisoning than normal. In this way, children are screened for possible lead poisoning, rather than test every child. However, you may request a blood test even if you do not fall into the high risk category.

Diagnosing lead poisoning begins with drawing blood from the patient. A small sample may be taken from the finger or a vein. Lead levels are measured in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). The CDC guidelines concerning lead state that any lead level over 10 mcg/dL is unsafe. Elevated lead levels are categorized in the following way:

• Class I: less than 10 mcg/dL
• Class II-A: 10 to 14 mcg/dL
• Class II-B: 15-19 mcg/dL
• Class III: 20 to 44 mcg/dL
• Class IV: 45 to 69 mcg/dL

What treatments are used on children suffering from lead poisoning?

Treating lead poisoning begin conservatively. If possible the source of lead is identified and safely removed or the child is moved away from the source. In addition, ensuring that the child eats a balanced diet can help curb the effects of lead poisoning. A balanced diet that contains adequate levels of vitamin C, calcium and iron will help prevent the absorption of lead into the body.

If these measures do not reduce the levels of lead in a child, medical intervention may be necessary. Chelation therapy is sometimes used to reduce the amount of stored lead in the body. Chelating agents are usually administered through an IV and work by binding to the lead. The agent and the lead are eliminated from the body through the urine. The child's environment must be completely free of lead as the chelating agents increase the body's absorption of lead and other metals.

What are the long term effects of lead poisoning in children?

Long term effects of lead on children can be hard to pinpoint. However, the New England Journal of Medicine did a study on the long term effects of exposure to low levels of lead. The original study was followed by an 11 year reexamination of the original study participants. In the group with original higher lead levels there was a significant increase in:

• Learning disabilities
• Lower vocabulary and grammatical reasoning scores
• Poorer hand eye coordination
• Longer reaction times
• Slower finger tapping

Other long-term effects of lead poisoning in children include:

• Decreased bone and muscle growth
• Poor muscle coordination
• Damage to nervous system, kidneys and hearing
• Speech and language problems
• Developmental delays
• Seizure disorders

How do I prevent lead poisoning?

There are many ways to decrease or eliminate your child's exposure to lead.  Our Manchester personal injury lawyers complimentary case evaluation if you are in New Hampshire or Vermont including the areas of Nashua, Manchester or Concord.  Please contact us today for aggressive, top quality legal representation.