Lead Poisoning – Diagnosis and Treatment
Lead poisoning, also known as lead toxicity, occurs when lead builds up in the body. This condition can harm children by affecting many organs and slowing growth and development.
Both children and adults can come into contact with lead through old paint, dust, water, and soil.
Even small amounts of lead can be unsafe. Early symptoms can be hard to notice, such as stomach pain, headaches, and tiredness. Over time, high levels of lead cause serious health problems that need medical attention.
Table: Features of Lead Poisoning
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain | Ongoing or sudden stomach discomfort |
| Fatigue | Unusual tiredness that doesn’t go away |
| Pica | Eating things that are not food |
| Personality changes | New mood swings or behavior shifts |
| Intellectual issues | Difficulty with learning or slow development |
| Seizures | Episodes of shaking or loss of awareness |
Diagnosis
Doctors usually check for lead poisoning during routine visits. They often test children at ages 1 and 2, but older kids may get screened if not tested before.
A blood test finds lead in the body and measures the amount in micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL). Healthcare workers collect a blood sample by finger prick or from a vein.
Any amount of lead found can be a concern. If the blood lead level (BLL) is 5 mcg/dL or more, follow-up is needed. High levels, especially 45 mcg/dL or above, need immediate action.
Doctors may also use these methods to help with diagnosis:
- Abdominal X-ray: Checks for swallowed lead pieces.
- Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin Test: Looks for effects of lead on red blood cells.
Test results guide treatment and future checks.
Treatment
Addressing Serious Lead Exposure
Doctors give specific medical treatments when someone has a high amount of lead in their blood. Removing the source of lead from the environment comes first.
In more serious cases, medical treatment is needed. Chelation therapy is a common approach.
Doctors use medicines that attach to lead in the body and help remove it through urine. Succimer is often used for children with blood lead levels at or above 45 mcg/dL.
Doctors may recommend chelation for adults with high blood levels or symptoms.
EDTA therapy (edetate calcium disodium) is another option. Healthcare providers give this by injection if children cannot take regular chelation medicine or for adults with very high blood lead levels.
EDTA helps remove lead from the body quickly. Doctors may order environmental checks to find and reduce sources of lead. Ongoing monitoring is important because no blood lead level is completely safe.
A mix of medicine, home changes, and follow-up helps recovery and protects health.
| Treatment | Medication | Route | When Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelation Therapy | Succimer | By mouth | Children/adults with high blood lead levels |
| EDTA Chelation Therapy | Edetate calcium disodium | Injection | Severe cases; when other treatments do not work |
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps You Can Take Before the Visit
Before meeting with a healthcare provider, make a list of symptoms you or your child have. Note any changes in behavior or new health problems.
Write down possible exposure to lead, such as living in older homes with lead-based paint, using water from lead pipes, or contact with soil or dust from areas where leaded gasoline was used.
If you or your child have contact with lead at work or through hobbies like construction, painting, or recycling, include this information.
Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, and supplements you or your child take, including amounts and how often. This helps the healthcare provider avoid medicine interactions.
Prepare questions to ask, such as:
- What is causing these symptoms?
- What tests will be needed?
- Are the effects of lead exposure long-term or short-term?
- What should be the next steps if the test shows high lead levels?
Add your own questions as needed.
Table: Risk Factors to Consider
| Risk Factor | Example |
|---|---|
| Living in older homes | Older paint, lead-based paint |
| Drinking water from lead pipes | Older plumbing systems |
| Occupational lead exposure | Jobs in construction, painting, or battery work |
| Proximity to traffic-heavy areas | Soil near old roads with leaded gasoline use |
| Family history | Sibling or playmate with past lead poisoning |
Questions Your Healthcare Provider Might Ask
Healthcare providers need detailed information to find out if lead poisoning is likely. They might ask:
- Have you moved recently, changed living spaces, or started renovating?
- Is your home older, and was it built before the ban on lead paint?
- Are there any changes in your job or hobbies that could increase lead exposure, like working near lead pipes or lead-based paint?
- Does your child spend time with others who have had lead poisoning?
- Are there concerns with water from old pipes or exposure to dust and soil in your area?
Answer these questions as fully as possible. This helps your provider suggest the right tests, such as a blood lead level test. Your answers also help doctors decide on next steps, like avoiding further contact with lead-based items or areas.
Getting ready with the right details and questions helps you get better care.
