Mild Lead Poisoning: How to Care for Your Child

Lead poisoning happens when too much lead (a type of metal in the environment) gets into the body when someone breathes it in or swallows it. Lead in the body can cause learning, behavior, and other problems. 

Your child's lead level was mildly high. The most important part of treatment of your child's lead level is finding out where the lead is coming from and removing it. A healthy diet with vitamins and minerals can help your child absorb less lead into their body. 

• Work with the health care team to find out where your child was in contact with lead and remove it. Sometimes a social worker or public health worker can help you. If you need help contacting them, ask your health care provider.

• If the health care provider recommends a vitamin with iron, be sure your child takes it as directed. Be sure to store it out of reach of your child. 

• Serve a variety of healthy foods, such as dairy products, lean meat, beans, and fruit and vegetables.

• Take your child to any follow-up visits or for blood tests as directed.

• If other young children live in your household, talk to your health care provider about having their lead levels checked.

• If you have questions about the safety of a household product, call Poison Control (800-222-1222).

Your child:

• vomits

• has a stomachache or headache

• is less hungry than usual or refuses to eat

• is irritable or very tired

• is less interested in playing

• is constipated (has trouble pooping)

• is eating clay, dirt, paint chips, or other non-food items

Your child:

• vomits repeatedly

• is hard to wake up or can't wake up

• has a seizure

How do kids get lead poisoning? In kids, this can happen when they breathe it in or eat or drink something contaminated by lead. For example, lead can get into the body when kids:

• swallow lead, paint chips, or soil that has lead in it

• breathe in lead dust or fumes

• drink water from pipes that have lead

Children younger than 6 years old (especially those 1–3 years old) are at greatest risk for health problems from lead poisoning.

How is lead poisoning diagnosed? Health care providers can diagnose lead poisoning with a simple blood test. They may do a lead test when kids are 1 and 2 years old during regular checkups. They also might recommend a lead test for kids who've had a known lead exposure (for example, in drinking water) or are at higher risk of exposure (such as those who live in an older home or whose parent has a hobby or job that involves being around lead).

Can lead poisoning be prevented? Sometimes it can be prevented. Try to keep kids away from lead the best you can. Check your child's environment for things that might contain lead, like old paints, batteries, pottery, water pipes, hobby supplies, and toys made in other countries.