Lead Poisoning

While the prevalence of lead poisoning in children is decreasing in the United States, screening of lead levels remains an important task of the pediatric primary care provider. Risk factors for lead poisoning and its toxic effects include children under six years (and especially those between 12 and 36 months), inner city children living in deteriorating housing, low-income and middle-income children, and refugee and foster care children (Hurwitz & Lee, 2013a). The importance of this screening is underscored by the fact that children can be asymptomatic even with high blood lead levels (BLL) and symptoms of lead toxicity can be non-specific. Early diagnosis is crucial because there are significant and permanent effects to almost all body systems with both toxic and below toxic BLL, including neurologic (ranging from developmental delay and behavior problems to encephalopathy), hematologic (anemia), renal (lead nephropathy), gastrointestinal (lead colic), and endocrine (vitamin D deficiency) (Hurwitz & Lee, 2013a). Laboratory evaluation of lead poisoning in children will now be discussed.

Similarly, in the article, The Need for Vigilance: the Persistence of Lead Poisoning in Children published in Pediatrics, a peer-review journal, the authors write the article with the intent of reiterating the need for medical professionals to remain vigilant with the accurate treatment of lead poisoning. The article in Pediatrics is written by doctors for clinical professionals and is based upon a report of "a case of lead poisoning associated with ingestion of a toy necklace in a 4-year-old child" (Florin, T., Brent, R., &

Everyone is susceptible to the dangers of lead contamination; but children are especially at risk. High levels of lead in children can lead to brain and kidney damage and damage to red blood cells. Low levels of lead can also cause problems that are less life-threatening but can be just as devastating, like low IQ, hearing and language impairment, reduced attention span and poor school performance. In adults, exposure to lead can lead to an increased risk for high blood pressure. Pregnant women and their fetuses are extremely vulnerable to lead. In women, lead increases the risk of infertility and miscarriages; in fetuses, lead can cause low birth weight, premature birth and impaired mental and physical development.

Children under six years old are very easily affected to the effects of lead. Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in: behavior and learning problems, lower IQ and hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing Problems and anemia; lead can accumulate in our bodies over time, where it is stored in bones along with calcium. For pregnant women, during pregnancy, lead is released from bones as maternal calcium and is used to help form the bones of the fetus. This is particularly true if a woman does not have enough dietary calcium. Lead can also cross the placental barrier exposing the fetus the lead. So lead can cause serious effects to the mother and her developing fetus, including: reduced growth of the fetus and premature birth. And for other adults, lead can also be harmful, it can cause cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function, and reproductive problems in both men and

According to the Mayo clinic, lead poisoning is most susceptible to children under the age of six. Early estimates indicate that as many as 8,000 children could have been given the drinking water. High levels of lead according to the Clinic’s report “can severely affect mental and physical development… [and] lead poisoning can be fatal.”

Lead is a poisonous substance when consumed by humans, and can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, and kidney illnesses, among other complications. Corrosive, inadequately treated water from the Flint River had triggered the lead's release from old pipes in homes and schools. As the extent of the problem became apparent, many residents accused local and state officials of having failed to act early enough to alert the public to the poison, despite civilian complaints that their water smelled, looked, and tasted unusual.

The improved screening and treatment of lead poisoning decreased the severity of symptoms usually seen. However, the level of lead in the blood does not establish what symptoms are seen, since lead in blood only establishes current exposure. Recently, studies have shown that a long exposure to low amounts of lead may have severe neurobehavioral effects that are not diagnosed until the child enters school (Singhal et. al., 1980).

This statement makes its point. It is only safe for no lead to be in the body. Another question some may ask is why is lead so toxic? Like minerals, when consumed, they spread throughout the body. The consequence is, lead replaces some of the metals bodies need (Helmenstine). To provide reasoning, decreased IQ levels from lead means that lead switched with another metal, calcium (Helmenstine). When lead replaces calcium in transmissions of electrical impulses to the brain, it disrupts the way to recall or think, thus making you not as smart (Helmenstine). Another example are neurons, and they take in and use calcium +2. Because lead is so similar and also possessing a +2 charge, acting as a substitute for calcium. Once lead ions are taken in, they will cause damage to the nervous system (Object Retrieval).

Health officials agree that no amount of exposure to lead is safe, be it from water, the air, old paint, or dirt. Even the smallest of amounts can lead to irreversible cognitive and developmental damage, especially in younger children.

Lead exposure causes permanent brain damage. Children under six are most at risk from small amounts of lead. Among adults, pregnant women are especially at risk from exposure to lead. In children, lead can cause nervous system and kidney damage, decreased intelligence, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities; speech, language, and behavior problems. In pregnant women, lead is passed from the mother to the fetus and can cause miscarriages, premature births, brain damage, and low birth weight.

Furthermore, lead can cause some serious health problems, especially to children. Lead can cause something called lead poisoning, which happens when you absorb too much lead by interacting with any substance that has lead in

Exposure to lead can happen in multiple ways such as inhalation, eating, or touching the substance (ATSDR).Ways that possible lead poisoning is tested is by blood tests for excessive EP (erythrocyte protoporphyrin); which is a part of the red blood cells that increases when the body has a high amount of lead (ATSDR.). Lead is toxic to humans and affects human’s bloodstream.Ways that possible lead poisoning is tested is by blood tests. A product that can lead to lead exposure is paint that contains lead. Lead was used in paint as a pigment, as the years have gone on it is used less and has been banned for being used in house paints (ATSDR). Even though it is no longer used in paint for houses, people who live in older houses which had been

Children with developing bodies are especially vulnerable because their rapidly developing nervous systems are particularly sensitive to the effects of lead. Blood lead levela exceeding 60 ug/dl causes brain swelling and hemorrhaging. Almost all children in the United States have been exposed to lead one point in their lives. Common sources included lead paint and lead contained water

Lead, a naturally occurring metal and can be used in almost everything. It can cause serious health issues if it is exposed for a long time, particularly in children as they are more susceptible to absorbing and retaining lead in their bodies. Each year, in the United States 310,000 of 1- to 5-year age group are found to have unsafe levels of lead in their blood, which can cause a wide range of symptoms. (1)

Moreover, exposure to lead and taking a lot of medication without consulting a doctor may lead to