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. 

To help remove lead from your child's body, your health care provider prescribed a chelating (KEE-late-ing) medicine, which attaches to the lead so the body can get rid of it in the pee (urine). Finding out where the lead is coming from and removing it is another important part of treatment. Also, a healthy diet with vitamins and minerals can help your child absorb less lead into their body.

• Give your child the prescribed medicine as directed by your health care provider. If your child can't swallow the capsule, you can open it and:
  • Sprinkle the medicine on a spoonful of food (like applesauce, chocolate syrup, or jelly). Then, have your child drink some fruit juice to hide the taste of the medicine.
  • Mix the medicine into fruit juice and have your child drink it through a straw. Mix in more juice if some of the medicine is still in the glass. Be sure your child swallows all the medicine. 
  • Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids while taking this medicine.
• Work with the health care team to find out where your child was in contact with lead and remove it. A social worker or public health worker might be able to 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. 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. Follow instructions from the care team to be sure your child gets enough calcium.
• Take your child to any follow-up visits and for blood tests as directed. Repeat blood tests are needed to see how the treatment is working.
• 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 more than a few times or for longer than 1–2 days
• is less hungry than usual or refuses to eat
• is irritable or very tired
• is less interested in playing
• is constipated (has trouble pooping)
• gets a rash
• has new or worse stomach problems
• 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
• can't control the arms, legs, or other muscles

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.