Lead Poisoning in Children
Lead poisoning in children is a matter of concern because research has shown that most children who are in the age group of 1-5 years tend to have higher lead blood levels than the prescribed standards. Lead poisoning in children long term effects can be very drastic because it may even result in behavioral problems, learning disabilities, coma, seizures and in some extreme cases even result in death of the child or even an adult. Treatment for lead poisoning in children is especially important because lead poisoning is known to affect almost every system in the body and in most cases lead poisoning is known not to produce any obvious symptoms and can hence go undetected until it is at a very critical stage.
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Children
One of the major causes of lead poisoning in children is on account of their exposure to lead contaminated dust which may be found in deteriorating buildings or on inhaling the fumes of lead based paint. Some of the other lead poisoning causes in children include taking up hobbies such as making windows of stained glass, making or even recycling automobile batteries, drinking water which may be obtained through brass fixtures, lead pipes or even valves that are known to leach lead and so on. Children below 6 years of age are usually at a higher risk when it comes to being affected by lead poisoning since they tend to grow very rapidly and they also have a tendency at this age to put objects or their hands into their mouths. Some of the symptoms of lead poisoning in children include loss of appetite, irritability, lethargy or even fatigue, abdominal pain, paleness on account of anemia, vomiting and even constipation.
Lead poisoning in children long term effects also include reduced muscle growth, damage to their internal organs, speech and language problems, poor muscle coordination, neurological damage, hearing damage and reduce bone growth as well. One of the most common sources and causes that leads to lead poisoning in children are children’s toys that are usually known to be decorated with lead based paint which is mostly true in the case of toys that are of low grade and quality. The primary step in the treatment of lead poisoning in children involves identifying and getting rid of the source of the contaminant which could be air borne or even water borne. One should ensure that all sources of lead present in the child’s environment are removed. When dealing with lead poisoning in children treatment also includes ensuring that they are provided a balanced nutrition which helps in combating the harmful effects of the lead positioning on the child’s body.
Treatment for lead poisoning in children in extreme cases may also include a process called chellation wherein drugs are used to bind the lead in the system of the child and then eventually flush it out of their body through urination. Lead poisoning treatment for children may also include administering medication intravenously to the child for a few days which is usually done in a hospital where the lead levels in the bloodstream of the child can be monitored. Along with treating the lead poisoning in children as well as in adults one should also try and look at ways of preventing lead poisoning by getting rid of any possible opportunities of contact with lead in ones work or even home. In case one is concerned about the exposure risk of lead in their work environment, building or home, they should immediately call their local public health department to investigate the same. One of the simplest ways to prevent lead poisoning in children to a certain extent is to make sure that the child washes their hands and face before any meal.
