Signs and Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

In our last blog post, we provided tips on preventing lead poisoning caused by paint in old homes since this has been a serious issue in the Buffalo area. If you are living in a home in Erie County that was built before 1978, it is good to be aware of the signs of lead poisoning.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning in Buffalo

It is very important to catch lead poisoning early because once it’s absorbed into the system by being inhaled or swallowed, it is distributed throughout the body. Often there are not apparent signs when a child has high levels of lead in their body. If you notice these symptoms especially in young children, it’s important to have them tested for lead exposure:

• Headaches
• Lack of appetite and Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Vomiting or nausea
• Constipation
• Muscle or joint weakness

It is important to schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately if you notice these symptoms. Because lead is distributed throughout the body, it can cause damage to many areas of the body. Long term health effects of lead poisoning can include decreased growth, developmental delay, damage to the nervous system, weakened bones, and poor muscle growth and coordination.

Treating Children Exposed to Lead

Treating lead poisoning will depend on the level of lead in a child’s blood. If you suspect your child has been exposed to lead through paint and they are experiencing symptoms, get a blood test to to check lead levels. Reducing the lead exposure can help eliminate the existing lead from the body if there is only a small amount. If your child has been exposed to high levels of lead, they may need to be hospitalized to receive medication that helps break down the lead in the body. 

Preventing lead exposure for young children is the best approach to the lead poisoning problem in Buffalo, NY. Ask a pediatrician at Delaware Pediatrics if you have any questions about you and your family’s health. 

Categorized in: News

This post was written by Delaware Pediatrics