Lead Toxicity in Children

Lead toxicity continues to be a major public health concern in the United States. Children are particularly vulnerable to the potential toxicity of lead. Nicole Bisel, a medical student at the Medical College of Georgia is joined by pediatricians Dr. Tyrone Bristol and Dr. Rebecca Yang to to discuss the risk, evaluation and management of lead toxicity in children.

Specifically, they will:

• Why lead toxicity continues to be an issue today
• Discuss sources of how humans are exposed to lead
• Review Risk Factors & Consequences of lead toxicity
• And finally discuss screening, management, and treatment for children with lead toxicity

FREE CME Credit (requires sign-in):  https://mcg.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=9855

Thank you for listening to this episode from the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia. If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback- you can email us at mcgpediatricpodcast@augusta.edu

Remember that all content during this episode is intended for educational purposes only. It should not be used as medical advice to diagnose or treat any particular patient. Clinical vignette cases presented are based on hypothetical patient scenarios. Thank you for your support!

References:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Council of Environmental Health. Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity. Pediatrics. 2016;38(1)e20161493 – August 01, 2017 https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/1/e20161493
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Childhood Lead Exposure Infographic. In: American Academy of Pediatrics Health Initiatives Lead Exposure and Lead Poisoning. American Academy of Pediatrics Website. https://www.aap.org/en-us/ImagesGen/Lead_infographic.jpg. Accessed February 6, 2021.
3. PEHSU: Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units. Lead and Drinking Water: Information for Health Professionals Across the United States. American Academy of Pediatrics Website. https://www.pehsu.net/_Library/facts/LeadandDrinkingWater_62116_final.pdf. Accessed February 6, 2021.
4. American Academy of Pediatrics. Lead Exposure in Children. American Academy of Pediatrics Website. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/lead-exposure/Pages/Lead-Exposure-in-Children.aspx. Accessed February 6, 2021.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Website. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/. Accessed February 6, 2021.
6. Mayans L. Lead Poisoning in Children. American Family Physician. 2019; 100(1):24-30. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0701/p24.html. Accessed February 13, 2021.
7. Hanna-Attisha M, LaChance J, Sadler RC, Schnepp AC. Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children Associated With the Flint Drinking Water Crisis: A Spatial Analysis of Risk and Public Health Response. American Journal of Public Health. 2016; 106(2): 283-290. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4985856/#__ffn_sectitle. Accessed February 13, 2021.
8. Council on Environmental Health. Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity. Pediatrics. 2016; 138(1):e20161493. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/1/e20161493%20. Accessed February 13, 2021.
9. Sanders T, Liu Y, Buchner V, Tchounwou PB. Neurotoxic Effects and Biomarkers of Lead Exposure: A Review. Rev Environ Health. 2009; 24(1): 15-45. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2858639/#__ffn_sectitle. Accessed February 13, 2021.
10. American Academy of Pediatrics. Detection of Lead Poisoning. American Academy of Pediatrics Website. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/lead-exposure/Pages/Detection-of-Lead-Poisoning.aspx. Accessed March 7, 2021
11. American Academy of Pediatrics. Treatment of Lead Poisoning. American Academy of Pediatrics Website. https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/lead-exposure/Pages/Treatment-of-Lead-Poisoning.aspx. Accessed March 7, 2021.
12. Zahran S, McElmurry SP, Sadler RC. Four Phases of Flint Water Crisis: Evidence from Blood Lead Levels in Children. Environ Res. 2017; 157: 160-172. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5538017/. Accessed February 13, 2021.
13. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm. Accessed March 14, 2021.
14. https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/advisory/acclpp/actions-blls.htm. . Accessed Nov 14, 2021.