| Childhood lead poisoning. Information on child development. Bright Tots - Information on child development - Autism information |
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| Childhood Lead Poisoning |
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children under 6 years old are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly. Lead is a metallic element found in the environment. Lead is no longer used in paints, gasoline, water pipes and other products, but some lead-based products still exist and may pose a health hazard. Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning because it can accumulate in their nervous system as their bodies grow and develop.
Lead is soft, malleable, solid, grayish and resistant to corrosion. Childhood lead poisoning is a known to be capable of harming all of the body's major systems and is particularly devastating to proper development. Death by lead poisoning is uncommon, but dangerous levels of lead in children may cause serious health problems, including lower intelligence and poor school performance. An estimated more than 400,000 U.S. children 5 years old or younger have levels of lead in their bodies high enough to cause concern.
Symptoms and Signs
Children from all social and economic levels can be affected by lead. Lead enters the body through either ingestion or inhalation. Small children and pregnant women absorb 50% of the lead that enters their bodies. The lead that is absorbed travels through the blood stream and lodges in soft tissue such as the liver, kidney and brain. Most of the lead that enters our bodies is stored in our bones and teeth. Lead can remain in bone and teeth for over 30 years and can actually be released back into the blood stream during times of high stress such as pregnancy.
Studies show that lead disrupts proper cognitive development. High levels require hospitalization (chelation therapy) and may put the child's life in risk. Lead poisoned children rarely exhibit physical symptoms until lead levels are dangerously high.
Many children may experience the following symptoms:
Lead is soft, malleable, solid, grayish and resistant to corrosion. Childhood lead poisoning is a known to be capable of harming all of the body's major systems and is particularly devastating to proper development. Death by lead poisoning is uncommon, but dangerous levels of lead in children may cause serious health problems, including lower intelligence and poor school performance. An estimated more than 400,000 U.S. children 5 years old or younger have levels of lead in their bodies high enough to cause concern.
Symptoms and Signs
Children from all social and economic levels can be affected by lead. Lead enters the body through either ingestion or inhalation. Small children and pregnant women absorb 50% of the lead that enters their bodies. The lead that is absorbed travels through the blood stream and lodges in soft tissue such as the liver, kidney and brain. Most of the lead that enters our bodies is stored in our bones and teeth. Lead can remain in bone and teeth for over 30 years and can actually be released back into the blood stream during times of high stress such as pregnancy.
Studies show that lead disrupts proper cognitive development. High levels require hospitalization (chelation therapy) and may put the child's life in risk. Lead poisoned children rarely exhibit physical symptoms until lead levels are dangerously high.
Many children may experience the following symptoms:
| Childhood Lead Poisoning |
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