Lead Poisoning in Children: Causes, Signs and Precautions

Young children of any age can develop lead poisoning from exposure to a variety of agents, such as lead-containing paint, contaminated soil and water.

Does your child have a habit of sipping plastic objects and pencil tips? Are you concerned that your baby might get sick? Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental health problems in the world. The negative effects of this metal have been known for over 100 years.

In this article, aFamilyToday Health invites you to learn about the causes of lead poisoning, the signs that identify children with lead poisoning, the complications of this condition and how to prevent it.

The cause of lead poisoning in children

When lead paint is peeled or cracked, there is a chance that lead dust will be released into the air. Through the act of bringing your hand to the child's mouth, this metal has a chance to enter the child's body. If your child has Pica syndrome , a condition that causes him to crave something he cannot eat, he is also at higher risk of lead poisoning in this way.

Lead cannot be absorbed through the skin. In fact, you can't even smell, taste or see lead particles. Some common sources of lead poisoning include:

Medicine

Paint with lead

Household dust

Glazed cups and bowls

Colorful eye-catching toys and jewelry for children

Water flows from worn or lead-contaminated pipes and hoses

The soil is polluted by exhaust gas from vehicles, industrial smoke or construction works.

Signs of lead poisoning in children

This deadly metal accumulates in the bodies of children and us slowly over time. If the baby is accidentally exposed many times, the baby may experience serious brain damage. Although lead poisoning in young children is not so obvious, the most common symptoms include:

Shivering

Lost weight

Muscle weakness

Tired

Convulsions

Constipation

Insomnia

Headache

Vomiting

Anemia

Groggy

Not good

Kidney damage

Having a hearing problem

Unusual pain, cramps.

Testing for lead poisoning in young children can only be done when the baby is 6 years old because many of the above symptoms will not manifest fully.

Complications when children lead poisoning

Lead poisoning affects communication between nerve cells and the brain. It also interferes with a child's normal development. This can lead to a drop in IQ, loss of ability to learn, and even problems with growth. Some other complications your baby is at risk for include:

Comatose

Poor height development

Underdeveloped hearing

Poor fine motor skills

Having trouble concentrating

Have a hard time studying

Develop behavioral problems like aggression and hyperactivity.

Please refer to the article The important rumor of fine motor skills in children

Treatment of lead poisoning in young children

The first step in the treatment of lead poisoning in young children is to locate and eliminate the source of the poisoning. Then isolate the baby from this area.

In more severe cases, a procedure called chelation therapy may be used to look for heavy metals in the body and then to clear them through the urine. The baby's recovery process will take quite a while.

Prevention of lead poisoning in young children

Parents can take some simple home precautions to protect their baby from lead poisoning, such as:

Wash hands and toys

Hand washing and toys: To minimize the risk of lead poisoning by bringing hands to mouth after contact with lead poisoning soil or dust. Parents should wash their hands after babies do outdoor activities, before eating and before going to bed. In addition, periodic cleaning of toys is also a necessary measure.

Cleaning home

Regularly clean living areas, window sills, or other easily soiled places with the right cleaning solution.

Leave your shoes on the steps

The location for shoes should be away from the children's play area indoors to avoid the risk of lead poisoning from dirt on the sole of the footwear.

Be careful when cooking

If your home has an old plumbing system, let the tap run for about a minute before using it. In addition, cooking for children with purified water or filtered water is also a suggestion.

Healthy eating mode

Proper nutrition will help reduce your body's risk of absorbing lead. Another important thing that you shouldn't ignore is to make sure your whole family gets enough iron, vitamin C and calcium each day. Prized and healthy foods include:

Milk

Red meat

Cheese

Green vegetables

Citrus fruits.

If you suspect that your child has lead poisoning, parents should bring their child to the hospital to be examined and treated promptly, to avoid dangerous complications.