Lead Poisoning

Question 1

What age group is most at risk for lead poisoning?

Answer 1

Children less than 6 years of age are most vulnerable to lead poisoning. It is said that young children absorb about 50% of lead they are exposed to (either orally or via dust in the air containing lead).

Question 2

What are some common causes of lead poisoning?

Answer 2

-lead-based paint
-food, air, water
-household dust and soil

Question 3

When are blood lead levels (BLL) drawn via primary care?

Answer 3

BLL (blood lead levels) are drawn at ages 1 and 2.

A BLL greater than 10 warrants a redraw in about 1 years time.

A BLL greater than 20 requires treatment of s/s and monitoring whereas a BLL of greater than 45 requires CHELATION THERAPY.

Question 4

What are s/s of lead poisoning?

Answer 4

-n/v
-anorexia/failure to thrive
-constipation
-abdominal pain
-pallor/fatigue
-tachycardia
-neurological changes
-PICA

**most pathophysiologic effects of lead poisoning are reversible :) **