Lead Paint Poisoning in Children
Exposure to lead in young children may lead to mental and physical disorders, even if the child is exposed to only a small amount of lead. Children under 6 years old are at an increased risk of damage from lead poisoning since their brains and bodies are undergoing rapid development. The Mayo Clinic reports that repeated exposure to lead increases the risk of toxic lead poisoning.-
Symptoms
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The child may not exhibit symptoms of lead poisoning until the amount of lead in his body reaches a dangerous level. As the level of lead in his blood increases, he may become irritable and find it difficult to concentrate. Physical symptoms may include appetite reduction, weight loss, abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation. In addition, the child's skin may appear pale.
Paint
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As many as 4 million homes in the United States may pose a significant risk for lead poisoning to children, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Most of these homes were constructed before 1978 when lead-based paint was banned. As the old paint flakes and deteriorates, lead particles may become airborne, putting young children in the home at risk of inhalation.
Newborns
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Newborn infants are not exempt from lead poisoning if their mothers were exposed to lead during their pregnancy. In addition to the mother inhaling lead paint dust, her risk of giving birth to a baby with lead poisoning increases if she smokes, the CDC reported in the pamphlet "Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children." (See Resources.)
Additional Exposure Risks
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Besides exposure to cigarette smoke and old paint, children face an increased risk of lead poisoning from other sources. Soil in the yards of renovated homes may carry increased lead levels and children should not play where the soil may be contaminated. Old lead water pipes are a source of concern, and water used for drinking or in the preparation of food should only come from the cold water faucet since hot water may transmit more lead particles.
Diagnosis
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Lead accumulates in a child's blood with repeated exposure. The CDC reports that there is no safe blood lead level (BLL) and recommends testing a child at 1 year of age and again when he turns 2. The test for lead consists of a pinprick to the child's finger. A BLL higher than 10 micrograms per deciliter is considered dangerous.
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