Information From Your Health Care Provider

LEAD POISONING

Basic information

description

Lead poisoning occurs when there is a high level of lead in the body. Lead is all around us. It is found in older paint, batteries, drinking water, and pottery or other ceramic dishes. A little bit of lead finds its way into everyone and usually causes no problems. Too much lead in the body can cause serious problems, especially in infants and young children.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Often no symptoms or they may be delayed.
Pale skin, fatigue, feeling sluggish, sleeping problems.
Behavior changes (such as being irritable).
Child may be overly active.
Stomach discomfort and poor appetite.
Difficulty in concentrating.
Headache; vomiting; weight loss; constipation.
Higher lead levels: severe stomach cramps; rigid abdomen, muscle weakness, seizures, or coma.

causes

Breathing in of lead dust or fumes, or taking lead in by mouth (ingestion). Lead in the body interferes with normal body functions. It affects red blood cells and the nerve cells in the brain.

risk increases with

Children under 3. Their brain and nervous systems are still developing and are more affected by lead.
Childhood behaviors such as hand-to-mouth activity and pica (repeated eating of nonfood products) increase the risk of taking in lead.
Homes with lead-based paint (its use stopped in the mid-1970s). Children eat, chew, or suck on the paint. During remodeling, lead paint dust can get into the air.
Lead plumbing (its use stopped in 1986).
Using lead-glazed ceramics for food or drink.
Some candies from Mexico have had high lead levels.
Glazed pottery making, lead soldering, artists' paints, preparing lead shot, stained-glass making, some inks, car or boat repair, and others.
Work or job exposure. Over 900 occupations have been connected with lead poisoning.
Some cosmetics and folk remedies.
Retained bullets or shrapnel.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Have children age 6 months to 6 years tested regularly for lead levels. Talk to your child's health care provider.
Avoid risk factors where possible.
Routine blood-lead tests for workers exposed to lead.
Education about lead and ways to decrease lead exposure. Call (800) 424-LEAD; website: www.epa.gov/lead.

expected outcomes

Lead poisoning without any apparent brain damage generally improves with treatment. Some problems may be long-lasting or permanent.

possible complications

Damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, heart, and other body organ systems.
Children may have mental retardation, behavior problems, learning disorders, aggressiveness, or delayed or slower growth. Seizures, coma, and death could occur.
Adults may have loss of sex drive, impotence, or infertility. High lead levels in a pregnant woman can harm her unborn child.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

Your health care provider may do a physical exam. Medical tests include blood studies to measure lead levels. Kidney and liver function testing and x-rays of the abdomen may be done.
Treatment involves avoiding any further exposure to the lead. For some patients, medical therapy will help the body excrete (get rid of) the lead. Hospital care may be needed for severe symptoms.
A report should be made to the local health department. An inspection of the home or workplace can be done to find the source of lead. Lead-level blood tests should be done for all family members.
If the source is in the home, the patient needs to live elsewhere until the lead source is removed.

medications

Chelating agents to excrete lead may be prescribed.

activity

No limits.

diet

To reduce lead levels, eat a diet that has plenty of iron, calcium, and zinc; avoid excess fat. Eat lean meat, eggs, raisins, greens, dairy, fruit, and potatoes.

notify our office if

You or a family member has symptoms of lead poisoning or you want lead levels tested.