Lead

Lead poisoning is one of the most common health problems facing children in the country today.  Lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust are the primary sources of lead exposure to infants and toddlers.  Studies have provided new evidence about the link between lead exposure and child development.  If your infant or toddler has been exposed to lead, it is possible that may affect his or her development.

Here's some information about typical development for an infant or toddler, how development might be delayed for those who have been exposed to lead, and what you can do if you have a concern about your infant's or toddler's development.  You should know that lead exposure is only one cause of development delay.

What is typical development for an infant or toddler:
By 3 months of age, most infants:
bulletMake cooing sounds
bulletChuckle
bulletGrasp rattles or hair
bulletRecognize a bottle
bulletLift head and chest when lying on their stomach

By 6 months of age, most infants:

bulletRoll over
bulletSit with a little help
bulletBabble-make 2 sounds
bulletTransfer objects from hand to hand
bulletTurn their head toward sound

By 9 months of age, most infants:

bulletSit alone
bulletCrawl
bulletSay Mama or Baba
bulletPlay with two objects at the same time
bulletRespond to their name

By 12 months of age, most infants:

bulletPull themselves to standing
bulletWalk with support
bulletSay 2-3 words
bulletStack two blocks
bulletFollow simple directions

By 18 months of age, most toddlers:

bulletWalk
bulletClimb up one stair
bulletSay 5-10 words
bulletScribble with crayons
bulletLike pull toys

By 24 months of age, most toddlers:

bulletKick large ball
bulletPoint to familiar objects
bulletSay 2-3 word sentences
bulletDrink from a cup
bulletTurn pages in a book

By 36 months of age, most toddlers:

bulletWalk up stairs
bulletFeed self
bulletRide a tricycle
bulletOpen doors
bulletVerbalize toilet needs
How might development be delayed for an infant or toddler who has been exposed to lead?
bulletdecreased rate of learning
bulletslow growth
bulletunable to stand up straight
bulletlimited vocabulary-speech
bulletproblems with attention span and muscle coordination
What if I am concerned about my infant's or toddler's development?
Your infant or toddler can be referred to Early On for an evaluation.

What is Early On?
Early On is a system of services for infants and toddlers under the age of three (and their families) who have been diagnosed with a health condition that will affect his or her development (like lead exposure) OR who have been diagnosed with a developmental delay.  It is available to families regardless of their income.

Informative web sites visit:
bullethttp://nolead.home.mindspring.com/
bullethttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/about/about.htm
bullethttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/lead.htm

Childhood Lead Poisoning Questionnaire to view click HERE  (This file does require Adobe Reader to view)

Did you know??? to view click HERE
For more information contact your local health department or physician.

Friday, October 31, 2008