Childhood lead poisoning is a multi-faceted, complex condition, which affects not only the child’s health and well-being, but also the family’s housing security, economic status, job security, and stress level. This review updates the emergency department clinician on the management of childhood lead poisoning. Infants and children are at higher risk than adults for lead exposure due to their smaller size and proportionately larger dose of ingested toxins, their proximity to ground dirt and indoor dust, their energy and curiosity, their oral exploratory and pica behaviors, their proportionately larger daily water and milk intake, and dietary preferences that differ markedly from those of adults. Pediatric health care providers working in the emergency department can provide medical management, as well as preventive counseling and guidance, to parents of children presenting with evidence of acute or chronic lead poisoning.

No abstract