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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect — even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.

Symptoms in children
The signs and symptoms of lead poisoning in children may include:

  • Irritability
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Sluggishness and fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Learning difficulties

Symptoms in newborns
Babies who are exposed to lead before birth may experience:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Slowed growth

Symptoms in adults
Although children are primarily at risk, lead poisoning is also dangerous for adults. Signs and symptoms in adults may include:

  • High blood pressure
  • Declines in mental functioning
  • Pain, numbness or tingling of the extremities
  • Muscular weakness
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Memory loss
  • Mood disorders
  • Reduced sperm count, abnormal sperm
  • Miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women
Causes Definition

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • Symptom Checker

    • Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
References
  1. Markowitz M. Lead poisoning. In: Kliegman RM. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1608/0.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
  2. Hurwitz RL. Childhood lead poisoning: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
  3. McGuigan MA. Chronic poisoning: Trace metals and others. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
  4. At-risk populations: Pregnant women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/pregnant.htm. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
  5. Goldman RH, et al. Adult lead poisoning. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 14, 2011.
  6. Folk medicine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/folkmedicine.htm. Accessed Jan. 17, 2011.
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Lead poisoning associated with use of litargirio: Rhode Island, 2003. MMWR. 2005:54;227. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5409a5.htm. Accessed Jan. 17, 2011.
  8. Lee DA, et al. Childhood lead poisoning: Exposure and prevention. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 17, 2011.
  9. Lead in paint, dust and soil. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/leadinfo.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2011.
  10. International adoption and prevention of lead poisoning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/adoption.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2011.
  11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Recommendations for blood lead screening of Medicaid-eligible children aged 1-5 years: An updated approach to targeting a group at high risk. MMWR. 2009;58:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5809a1.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2011.
FL00068 March 12, 2011

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