Download the entire Caring for Children document in PDF format here.
- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Lead Poisonings
Lead poisoning occurs in children, usually in the first two or three years of life, when children go through a phase of putting everything in their mouth. It most often is caused by eating lead contained in bits of old paint or in dirt that has been contaminated by lead, or drinking water from pipes lined or soldered with lead. As lead accumulates in the body, it may not be noticeable for some time, but it can affect many organs in the body, including the brain. Lead poisoning can cause anemia, learning disabilities, stomach and intestinal problems, hearing loss, and short stature.
If you live in an older home that was built before 1977, especially if there is chipping or peeling paint, your young child is at risk for lead poisoning. Lead screening is offered routinely at the one and two year office visits. You may call the office if you would like to have your child tested. The test is a simple blood test.
Treatment for lead poisoning depends on the level of lead in the blood. Treatment includes environmental education and cleanup. Sometimes the child needs to be removed from the environment, and some children require treatment with a drug that binds the lead in the blood.
