Lead Poisoning in Children: Symptoms, Risks & Early Detection

Lead poisoning can occur years before symptoms begin to show. People who appear to be perfectly healthy can have high lead levels in their blood. The presence of lead can negatively affect many bodily functions, but primarily attacks the oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood and the nervous system.

Attitude

• Children who have lead poisoning can become excessively irritable and aggressive.

Appetite

• Lead poisoning can cause a loss of appetite, which results in rapid and extreme weight loss.

Behavior

• Children with lead poisoning can become sluggish and find it difficult to concentrate for extended periods of time. This is partially because of anemia, which can also be caused by lead poisoning. At the same time, they might also find it increasingly difficult to sleep.

Pain

• Lead poisoning can cause mild to extreme abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation.

Developmental

• Developmental delays are the strongest indicator of lead poisoning. These delays include learning difficulties and, especially in newborns that were exposed to lead poisoning in the womb, slowed physical growth.