Lead poisoning rarely announces itself. A child can have it in their blood and still seem healthy, which is why experts say parents shouldn’t wait for symptoms to start asking questions.
At low to moderate levels, lead exposure typically causes no symptoms or physical signs that a doctor can spot. UNICEF estimated that up to 800 million children worldwide, nearly one in three, have blood lead levels associated with lead exposure.
At higher levels, children may experience headaches, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, poor attention or loss of appetite. Some become clumsy, agitated or unusually drowsy. In severe cases, vomiting, convulsions and coma can follow.
For babies, irritability, vomiting, sudden weight loss and fatigue are possible warning signs. Because lead can accumulate in the body over time, the harm rarely happens all at once.
Why Young Children Are at Greater Risk From Lead
A child’s brain grows fastest in early childhood, and lead can interfere with that process. Infants and young children can absorb four to five times as much lead as adults from an ingested dose.
Babies and toddlers spend much of their day crawling on floors, where paint chips and lead-laced dust can accumulate.
Even small amounts matter. Low-level exposure is linked to lower IQ scores and shorter attention spans, and the resulting learning and behavior problems can have lasting effects. There is no known safe level of lead, and once it accumulates in bones and teeth, it is hard to remove.
Where Lead Hides And What Parents Can Do to Protect Kids
Lead can be found in water pipes, paint, canned food, spices, cosmetics, traditional medicines and toys. It can also be found in soil, air and water, particularly near industries such as mining and battery recycling. A mother’s exposure can also expose her developing baby before birth.
Poorer families often face higher risk because they are more likely to live near polluting operations or in homes with lead paint or pipes, and less likely to have access to health services.
The U.S. banned lead in paint in 1978, so older houses and apartments are more likely to contain it. Hardware stores sell test kits, though a professional inspection gives firmer answers.
Parents who suspect their child has been exposed to lead should talk to their pediatrician about a blood lead test. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least one blood lead measurement for every child in the U.S. If levels come back high, a doctor can help track down the source and recommend treatment and dietary changes.
