Lead Poisoning: Causes And Complications In Kids

By Priyanka Chaturvedi|3 - 4 mins read| November 08, 2023

Lead poisoning, by any chance, can make your kid severely ill. It causes learning and behavioral dysfunction. If your kid eats or drinks lead, you might have to get them treated immediately before any mishap happens. Lead is banned, but many sources still have it. For example, the paints used for painting houses before 1978 had lead. If your kid happens to swallow that paint or lick it, it can cause lead toxicity. 

If you are wondering more about the causes and complications that lead poisoning can cause in kids, keep reading this blog. 

Ways Your Kid Might Get Exposed To Lead

There are several ways in which one can get exposed to lead. As a parent, you must be careful when your kid is doing the following:

  • Consume store brought food. Store brought food might contain lead as it makes them look appealing and attract customers. 
  • Drink water that might have lead. 
  • Put solid in their mouth that might be contaminated by lead. 
  • Lick or bite old vintage products that might be painted with lead. 
  • Taking medications that might be glazed with lead. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Lead Consumption In Kids?

Not only kids but even adults who are subjected to lead consumption might have severe repercussions. However, if you have kids below six years, you should be more careful about such things. 

Consumption of lead might cause in children the following effects:

  • Lethargy to eat
  • Poor health conditions 
  • Feeling tired throughout the day. 
  • A feeling of irritation 
  • Muscles get weakened 
  • Joint pain 
  • Vomiting and fatigue
  • Stomach ache 
  • Headache 
  • Problems in stool passing 

The symptoms mentioned above are caused if your kid takes in a little amount of lead. A large amount of this particle entering their body might lead to seizure, coma, and even death. 

Way Of Detecting Lead Poisoning

If you are observing the above-mentioned symptoms in your kids, it is time to take them to a doctor. A simple blood test is all that is needed to detect the presence of lead in the body. It is a part of routine check-ups in kids up to 2 years to do a lead test. 

Ways To Treat Lead Poisoning 

The first step to treating lead poisoning is to detect the source of lead and cut that off. If you have many kids in your house, and one of them is detected with lead poisoning, it is suggested to diagnose all your kids. 

The doctor will make some changes in the diet when dealing with such a patient. Iron, calcium, and vitamin C are great supplements that can help in healing the damage caused by lead poisoning. 

There are further a few more medicines that are extremely helpful in such a situation. For example- Chelator. Medicines like chelator help in removing the lead from the patient’s body. 

Kids who have been in such a situation should go for regular check-ups as the effects of lead poisoning might affect your future health aspects too. 


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About The Author:

Priyanka Chaturvedi

Last Updated: Wed Nov 08 2023

This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the above blog/article text are the personal views of the author, and not necessarily reflect the views of The ParentZ. Any omission or errors are the author's and we do not assume any liability or responsibility for them.
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