Lead Poisoning | How to protect your child from this silent enemy?

Have you ever thought that an old layer of paint on the walls of your house, an old water pipe, or a small toy could be a silent enemy that could affect your child's life? A condition that we don't talk about much, but can be very dangerous for young children, is called lead poisoning. This is something that sneaks into the body and affects the child's development, brain, and behavior. So today we will talk about everything in a very simple way.

Simply put, what is lead poisoning?

Lead is a heavy metal that is naturally found in the environment. But it is not good for our bodies, especially the growing bodies of young children. The condition that occurs when a child ingests too much lead is called ``Lead Toxicity.''

Think about it, our body is like a delicate machine. In order for the parts of this machine to work properly, they need nutrients like calcium and iron. When lead enters the body, it acts like these good nutrients, going where they should be and disrupting their functioning. This is especially a big obstacle to the transmission of messages between cells in the brain and nervous system. If such an obstacle occurs during the rapid development of the brain of young children, the damage it can cause is very serious.

How does lead enter our children's bodies?

This is the most important thing we all need to be aware of. The places where lead can be found are closer to us than we think.

What are the symptoms? How do you recognize this?

The scary thing here is that most of the time, a child with lead poisoning will not show any outward symptoms. Even if the lead level in their body is dangerously high, they may still be normal. By the time symptoms appear, they may be completely harmless. However, some children and adults may show symptoms like these:

Symptoms that children may experience

• Learning disabilities and decreased intelligence
• Attention deficit and hyperactivity
• Behavioral changes - irritability, aggression
• Failure to thrive (failure to gain height, weight loss)
• Stomach ache and vomiting
• Headache
• Feeling lethargic and tired
• Anemia - paleness caused by blood deficiency
• Rarely, very high lead levels can cause serious conditions such as seizures and coma.

Symptoms that may occur in adults

• High blood pressure
• Stomach ache
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Numbness in the limbs
• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Reproductive system problems (difficulty having children)

How does a doctor detect this?

The only way to know for sure if a child has lead poisoning is to get a blood test . This can accurately measure the amount of lead in the child's blood.

There are two main ways to do this:

1. Capillary test: This involves taking a small drop of blood from the child's fingertip or heel. Although the results are quick, if this shows high lead levels, a second test is definitely needed to confirm it.

2. Venous blood draw: This involves taking a small amount of blood from a vein in the child's arm. Although the results may take a while to come back, this is the most accurate and confirmatory test.

In addition, the doctor may also order a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia and iron levels. Sometimes, an abdominal X-ray may be done to see if the child has swallowed something, such as paint chips.

Is there any treatment?

Yes, absolutely. The first and most important step in treatment is to stop the source of lead exposure. This means safely repairing paint problems in your home, or treating water problems. You can get help from your doctor and your local Public Health Inspector (PHI) for this.

In addition, there are several treatment methods:

• Nutrition: The doctor advises adding foods rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin C to the child's diet. These nutrients help reduce lead absorption and eliminate lead from the body.
• Chelation Therapy: This is only given if the child has very high levels of lead in their blood. This involves giving a special medicine that binds to lead particles and helps them pass out of the body in the urine. This treatment must be done in a hospital and under medical supervision.
• Whole-bowel irrigation: If an X-ray confirms that the child has swallowed paint chips, this method is used to flush out the lead particles in the intestines before they can be absorbed into the body.

How can we protect our child from this risk?

Prevention is the best cure. By taking care of these simple things, you can secure your child's future.

• Be vigilant about your home: If you live in an older home, be aware of any peeling or peeling paint on the walls. Never attempt to scrape off the paint yourself. Doing so can release lead dust into the air and your child may breathe it in. Get advice on how to do this safely.
• Keep your home clean: Wipe down the floor and other surfaces your child plays on regularly with a damp cloth. This will remove any lead dust that may have accumulated.
• Handwashing: Wash your child's hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after playing outside and before eating. Also clean their toys and utensils regularly.
• Be careful with water: If you suspect that your home has old water pipes, first thing in the morning, turn on the tap and let the water run for about a minute before using it for drinking or cooking. Always use cold water . Lead dissolves more easily in hot water.
• Healthy diet: Give your child foods rich in iron (spinach, meat, lentils), calcium (milk, yogurt, cheese), and vitamin C (oranges, tangerines, guava). A well-nourished body absorbs less lead.
• Don't bring shoes indoors: Avoid bringing shoes and sandals that you wear outside into the house. This will prevent lead from entering the house from the soil outside.
• Work: If you work in a job that exposes you to lead, such as in a battery factory, paint factory, or auto repair shop, wash your body and change out of your work clothes before you come home from work. Do not wash those clothes with your children's clothes.