October 5, 2005
In an effort to reduce cases of lead poisoning among young children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recommending that all kids get tested for lead when they are 1 and 2 years old.
High levels of lead in the blood can cause headaches, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation, vomiting, and seizures. Lead also has been linked to anemia, severe colic, attention problems, hyperactivity, learning disabilities, and mental retardation.
Young children with lead poisoning usually get it from eating chips of lead paint. Though lead content in paint is regulated today, many older homes still have it on the walls, and when it flakes off, infants and toddlers may put the paint chips in their mouths. Kids also can get lead poisoning by inhaling lead particulates in dust that can come off walls that are covered with lead-based paint.
An estimated 25% of homes with kids who are 6 years old or younger have significant amounts of lead in contaminated paint, dust, soil, and plumbing, according to the AAP.
Early warning signs of high lead levels or chronic lead poisoning include: tiredness and irritability, muscle and joint pain, headaches, stomachaches, and cramps. But often there are no symptoms at all, and the only way to find out for certain whether a child has lead poisoning is through a blood test.
Treatment for lead poisoning depends on how much lead is in the child's blood. If it's a small amount, the child may just have to take iron supplements. If it's a severe case, and the lead levels are high, a child might be hospitalized so that he or she can receive intravenous (IV) medication to reduce lead levels in the blood.
The AAP recommends that doctors work with parents who have kids ages 6 months to 3 years old to find out if there are sources of lead in their homes and childcare settings. The AAP also recommends mandatory testing for kids who qualify for Medicaid, as 80% of the kids with elevated blood lead levels receive Medicaid assistance.
The recommendations are part of AAP's lead exposure policy statement, which has been recently updated to reflect new research on lead poisoning. AAP policy statements are designed to keep pediatricians up to date on new research that may be helpful in treating patients.
Each year, unsafe blood lead levels are detected in 300,000 kids between the ages of 1 and 5, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
That said, the incidence of lead poisoning has dropped dramatically since the 1970s. Aggressive lead testing and the ban on leaded gasoline, the regulation of smokestack emissions, and the elimination of lead-based paints have helped reduce the risk, according to the AAP.
What it Means to You
If you have a young child between 6 months and 3 years of age, it's important to talk to your doctor about whether there may be sources of lead in your house or in any other setting where your child spends long periods of time regularly. If you are concerned that your child is being exposed to lead, call your local health department.
This is particularly important if you live in an older home, if you have adopted your child or immigrated to the United States from a foreign country, or if you work with lead or lead dust at work or at home, according to the AAP. There can be lead in the soil around your house, so it's important to wash your hands, and to help your child develop good hand-washing habits.
If you suspect that you might have lead-based paint on your walls, use a wet cloth to wipe windowsills and walls. Watch out for water damage that can make paint peel. Be sure that your child washes his or her hands before eating, after playing outside, and at bedtime. Your local health department can provide more tips. If your child is showing any symptoms of lead poisoning, call your child's doctor.
Reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: October 2005
