How Could Lead Paint Affect a Baby?

Fetal Exposure

• Maternal exposure to lead can cause low birth weight and pre-term delivery, according to a report published by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. In addition, if the mother was exposed to lead during her own childhood or before pregnancy, the lead might be present in the mother̵7;s bones and be passed to the fetus during pregnancy. Hormonal changes common to pregnancy often lead to an increase in calcium metabolism from bones. If the mother has lead in her bones, the lead could metabolize with the calcium and affect the fetus.

Baby Risks

• Babies can be at a higher risk for lead toxicity for several reasons. A baby playing on the floor might be more likely to encounter dust and debris that contains lead. Babies also tend to put their hands and fingers in their mouths; if a baby has dust containing lead on his hands, he would ingest it, according to the EPA. With a baby̵7;s small size and rapid growth, the baby̵7;s body absorbs lead more easily than adults. The blood-brain barrier, which is the body's natural protection for keeping toxins out of the brain, is not fully developed until about age 6 and that also raises the lead risk for babies.

Exposure Symptoms

• You might not notice symptoms of lead exposure in your baby because children generally do not appear sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and symptoms such as irritability can mimic other health problems. Mild lead exposure might cause symptoms such as speech and language impairment, slowed muscle and bone growth, behavioral issues, hearing damage and decreased intelligence, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Lead exposure also might cause permanent damage. Heavy lead exposure can lead to seizures, unconsciousness and even death, according to Seattle & King County Public Health.

Exposure Prevention

• Families living in homes built before 1978 can take steps to prevent or reduce lead exposure. Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines include washing floors, baseboards, countertops and window sills with general-use detergent or a detergent formulated to clean up lead dust every week. Wash your baby̵7;s hands and face often to keep him clean. Wash your baby̵7;s toys frequently, as well. If you find paint chips, pick them up carefully and discard them. If you remodel a home built prior to 1978, assume it has lead paint on surfaces unless you test and find otherwise, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A report published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends hiring only lead-safe certified renovation companies to perform remodeling work to either seal or remove lead.

Tests and Treatment

• A blood test will determine lead toxicity, with 10 micrograms per deciliter or more indicating an unsafe level of lead in a child̵7;s blood. Physicians treat lead poisoning with medication administered intravenously, orally or by injection. The medication binds to the lead and the body eliminates it in urine. Treatment may require ongoing medication, depending on the severity of lead toxicity levels. A physician may also recommend a special diet for a child to improve healing. Even with medical intervention, it may not be possible to completely eliminate lead levels in the blood.