He or she will ask about: Medical history Potential environmental exposure to lead Diet Any learning or behavior problems (in children) Lead poisoning is diagnosed with a simple blood test. Blood tests can also be used for lead screening. Because there are often no early symptoms, a blood test is the best way to identify children at risk of lead poisoning at an early stage. Lead screening typically starts at age 6 months to 12 months. Lead screening guidelines vary from state to state, but the minimum screening is at 1 and 2 years.
Lead poisoning is the accumulation of lead in the body which usually develops over the course of months or years. While lead poisoning is common in the developing world and causes over 500, 000 deaths annually, it can also affect American households as well (as evidenced by the 2016 crisis in Flint, Michigan in which over 100, 000 people were exposed to lead-tainted water). Lead is a naturally occurring metal with no benefit to the body. Toxic exposure can affect the brain and other vital organs, causing neurological and behavioral changes, gastrointestinal illness, kidney impairment, and developmental delays. At very high levels, it can be fatal. Lead poisoning can be diagnosed with blood and imaging tests. If lead concentrations are high, treatment may involve the use of chelating drugs that bind to lead so that it can be eliminated from the body. Verywell / Emily Roberts Lead Poisoning Symptoms While lead poisoning can cause injury to almost every organ of the body, the brain, and gastrointestinal tract are usually where the first signs of disease appear.
This type of paint was used in many U. S. homes until the late 1970s, when the government banned the manufacturing of paint containing lead. Kids also can come into contact with lead through: soil found near busy streets and around homes that were painted with lead-based paint water that flows through old lead pipes or faucets food stored in bowls glazed or painted with lead, or imported from countries that use lead to seal canned food some toys, jewelry, hobby, and sports objects (like stained glass, ink, paint, and plaster) some home remedies, such as greta and azarcon (used to treat an upset stomach) What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Lead Poisoning? Some children have no signs of being sick. Others may have symptoms like: headaches behavioral problems and trouble concentrating loss of appetite weight loss nausea and vomiting constipation a metallic taste in the mouth feeling tired muscle and joint weakness looking pale How Is Lead Poisoning Diagnosed? A simple blood test can diagnose lead poisoning.
The victim usually becomes pallid, moody, and irritable and may complain of a metallic taste. Digestion is deranged, the appetite fails, and there may be severe abdominal pain, with spasms of the abdominal muscles ("lead colic") and constipation. A black line ("lead line") may appear at the base of the gums. There is often anemia. In later stages, headache, dizziness, confusion, and visual disturbances may be noted. Peripheral nerve involvement results in a paralysis ("lead palsy") that generally first affects the fingers, hands, and wrists ("wrist drop"). The most serious effects are seen in children under the age of six, in whom brain and nervous system development is still occurring. In these children, even a small amount of lead can result in permanent damage and loss of function of the affected area of the brain. Complications may occur, such as learning disabilities, slowed growth, blindness, deafness, and, in extreme cases, convulsions and coma ending in death. Brain injury may also occur in adults after massive exposure.
A level of 45 mcg/dL or higher in children requires treatment. Most adults with a level of 80 mcg/dL or higher and all adults with a level of 100 mcg/dL or hither should be treated. If your blood level is 50 mcg/dL or higher and you have severe symptoms, your doctor may also suggest treatment. Treating Lead Poisoning If blood levels are low, it may be enough to remove the source of lead. If lead paint is the cause, you may be able to seal the paint rather than remove it. For more severe cases, your doctor might suggest: Chelation therapy. You'll get a medication called DMSA that you take by mouth. It binds with the lead so it leaves your body when you pee. This is a good choice for children with a blood level of 45 mcg/dL or greater and adults with high blood levels or lead poisoning symptoms. EDTA chelation therapy. This is an option for adults with lead levels greater than 45 mcg/dL and children who can't take regular chelation therapy medicine. This treatment uses a chemical called EDTA.
Sources Used in Current Review Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood Lead Levels in Children Aged 1-5 Years – United States, 1990-2010. MMWR. April 5, 2013. Available online at. Accessed on September 30, 2015. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Response to Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Recommendations. June 7, 2012. PDF available for download at. (2014 19 June, Updated. ) Blood Lead Levels In Children. ) Lead Home: Prevention Tips. ) Lead Home: CDC's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. Accessed on September 30, 2015. Kathuria, P Rowden, A and O'Malley RK. (2015 22 September, Updated). Lead Toxicity. Accessed on October 2, 2015. Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014 10 June, Updated. ) Lead Poisoining. Accessed September 30, 2015. US National Library of Medicine. (2013 1 February, Updated. ) Lead Poisoning. Accessed September 30, 2015. Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (2014 21 October, Updated. ) Medical Management Guidelines for Lead (Pb).
Doctors decide whether to use chelation therapy on a case-by-case basis. Very high levels of lead (70 mcg/dL or greater) sometimes require hospitalization to begin therapy. After treatment and/or removal of the environmental lead source, the doctor normally will do more blood lead tests. Blood tests help track blood levels until they are no longer too high. Besides recommending a nutritious diet, the doctor also may recommend iron or calcium supplements. If a child with lead poisoning has iron-deficiency anemia, it is very important that the anemia be treated. Anemia puts the child at higher risk. When To Call a Professional If you are the parent or guardian of a child under age 6, make sure he or she visits a health professional regularly. Discuss possible risks of lead poisoning with the doctor have your child get tested if necessary. See the child's doctor immediately if you notice symptoms of lead poisoning or suspect that the child has been exposed to lead. Prognosis The outlook for children with lead poisoning depends on: The amount of lead in the body How long the child was exposed How the child responded to treatment Children with brief, low-level exposures usually recover completely.
Doctors get the blood by pricking the finger or putting a small needle into a vein. Blood tests to check for lead in the body should be done when kids are 1 and 2 years old. How Is Lead Poisoning Treated? Treatment for lead poisoning depends on how much lead is in the blood. The most important part of treatment is preventing more exposure to lead. A child with a small amount of lead often can be treated easily. As the body naturally gets rid of the lead, the level of lead in the blood falls. Kids with severe cases and extremely high lead levels in their blood will be hospitalized to get a medicine called a chelator. The chelator attaches to the lead and makes the lead weaker so the body can get rid of it naturally. Calcium, iron, and vitamin C are important parts of a healthy diet and also help to decrease the amount of lead the body absorbs. Your doctor may recommend your child take supplements if there's not enough in his or her diet. How Can We Protect Our Family? To help protect your kids from lead poisoning by: Keep your home lead-free.
Blood Test: Lead. Available online at #. Accessed February 2012. Donald L. Simmons, Ph. Laboratory Manager. State Hygienic Laboratory - Ankeny Ankeny, IA.
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