Signs and Symptoms
With low levels
of lead poisoning, most children show no clear symptoms. Sometimes,
however, they will have:
1. Loss of
appetite.
2. Vomiting.
3. Fatigue.
4. Constipation.
5. Behavior
problems.
Severe lead
poisoning:
1. Stomach pain.
2. Headaches.
3. Lack of
physical coordination.
4. Loss of
recently acquired mental skills.
What to do now
1. Ask a
pediatrician whether you can have a test of your child’s blood for lead;
this is the only way to know the level in your child’s blood.
2. If test
results show an high lead level 10 micrograms per deciliter or more,
according to the CDC - talk to your doctor about ways you can protect your
child from further exposure.
3. In severe
cases (45 to more than 69 micrograms per deciliter), a treatment that
increases the body’s ability to eliminated lead (chelation therapy) can be
given.
When to call a doctor
1. If you think
that your child has been exposed to lead; for example, if your house paint
is old and peeling or if your house has recently been renovated.
How to prevent it
1. Consider
having the paint, water, and soil in and around your home tested; you may
then need to rid your home of lead hazards.
Other steps to take:
1. Keep your house as clean and dust-free as possible. Pay attention to
areas where dust tends together, such as windowsills. Frequently damp-mop
floors and damp-dust surfaces.
2.Take precautions against lead hazards if you are going to renovate your
house. If possible, children and pregnant women should move out of the
house during renovation. If this is not possible, they should take extra
precautions to avoid being exposed to lead.
3. Wash children’s toys and bottle nipples frequently.
4. Unless a lead test shows that your tap water is safe, use bottled water
or a water filter that removes lead from the water. Use only cold water
from the tap for drinking, cooking or preparing baby foods.
5. Wash your hands before preparing food, and wash your child’s face and
hands before meals.
6. Feed your child balanced meals that include plenty of calcium and
iron-rich foods; these can reduce lead absorption.
7. Never purchase, store, or heat foods in cans manufactured in another
country; these may contain lead.
8. If you work with lead in your job; remove your work clothes and shower
before going home.
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