Treatment

First step: Testing
Contact your physician to request a blood test specifically for lead levels. According to a statement released by the Center for Disease Control, data indicate some adverse effects have been documented in children with blood levels as low as 10 mcg/dl of whole blood. Call your local health department to see if your child is eligible for free testing through your local Child Health and Disability Program (CHDP).

Second step: Treatment
There are different treatment methods for lead poisoning ranging from a diet adjustment to hospital stays. Chelation therapy is the most common treatment when lead poisoning levels have reached an elevated level. Chelation therapy treats lead poisoning by prescribing a drug that binds to the lead in the soft tissue of the body and that reduces the toxicity level. Chelating agents can reduce the burden of lead poisoning in the bones. This particular lead poisoning treatment can be very uncomfortable and requires a hospital stay.
Chelation can also be performed with an oral chelating agent. When being treated for lead poisoning with an oral chelating technique the child should not live in a leaded environment because the body's resistance will be lowered making them more susceptible to lead poisoning. In many cases, the children return to the lead infested area that subjected them to the lead poisoning to begin with, and they are more likely to have to go through chelation again.
To prevent, as well as to treat lead poisoning a diet low in fat and high in calcium and iron can help. It is known that certain deficiencies can magnify lead's toxicity. Individuals low in iron, calcium, zinc, and protein increases the amount of lead absorbed. High fat content foods act to attract lead in a child's body. By optimizing a child's nutritional intake can help minimize any potential harm.

Third step: Compensation
If your child has been diagnosed with lead poisoning, compensation may be in order. For more information call Goldberg Persky and White P.C. toll free at 1 (866) 532-3435 or fill out this form.