Description:
Lead is not biodegradable and
provides no known biological benefit to humans. Infants and young children are,
however, more susceptible to lead poisoning. Because of physiological
differences, they tend to absorb and retain more lead. Lead may accumulate in
the body over decades. The buildup of lead in the body can cause various health
effects such as brain damage, hearing loss, anemia, lead encephalopathy, damage
to the central nervous system, moderate to severe mental retardation and
abdominal cramping. Following acute lead exposure, learning disabilities and
behavioral problems can also occur. This article discusses the hematologic
effects that lead poisoning has on children aged 3-6 years.
Learning Objectives:
- Reflect on a study of the hematologic effects lead has had
on the peripheral blood of young children
- Discuss the relationship of lead on the blood
- Discuss testing that can be completed to test for lead
poisoning on children
Author(s):
K.J. Duncan, L. Lopez
T. Paharsingh
E. Burnette
Launched: 2007