What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? CDC issues warning after applesauce sickens 22 children

What are the symptoms of lead poisoning? CDC issues warning after applesauce sickens 22 children

Recalled applesauce bags have caused high blood lead levels in young children in 22 cases, according to the CDC. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning than adults and may or may not show symptoms after initial exposure. Given that lead toxicity can cause long-term cardiovascular, neurological and other problems, it is important that people have their blood lead levels tested if they believe they have been exposed.

Nearly two dozen children have become ill with lead after consuming recalled applesauce products containing cinnamon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday.

As of November 7, 22 cases of potentially high blood lead levels (BLLs) in children ages 1 to 3 years old after consuming the recalled applesauce had been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The children's BLL levels ranged from 4 to 29 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dl) - up to eight times higher than the worrying levels.

The children from 14 US states showed the following symptoms:

Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in activity level, anemia

The CDC's health warning follows recalls of several applesauce products that "contained extremely high levels of lead."

On October 28, WanaBana LLC voluntarily recalled all batchesWanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree in a three-pack 2.5-ounce bag, due to elevated lead levels in certain units. On November 9th, WanaBana expanded this recallSchnucks applesauce 90 g bag with cinnamon(Lot numbers 05023:19,09023:22And09023:24) AndWhite cinnamon apple sauce 90 g bag(Lot number 05023:28).

The FDA, CDC and other state and local authorities are still investigating the illnesses. Authorities recommend that consumers not eat, sell or serve the recalled products and instead discard them or return them to the store for a full refund.

Health officials also encourage parents and caregivers of infants and young children who may have been exposed to lead through these products to contact their healthcare provider to report possible symptoms of lead toxicity and seek treatment.

FDA/WanaBana LLC

What are the symptoms of lead toxicity?

Lead poisoning, sometimes called lead poisoning, primarily affects the central nervous system - this can be particularly dangerous for children because their nervous system is still developing. Children can also absorb more lead than adults when ingested.

In most cases, children exposed to lead do not show acute symptoms - but even low levels of lead exposure can result in learning, behavioral or cognitive deficits.

When children are exposed to large amounts of lead, acute lead poisoning can occur, which can affect the gastrointestinal tract, blood, and brain. This may be accompanied by certain signs and symptoms such as:anemia,stomach pain,weakness,Seizuresand myselfcoma.

The CDC again reported that the children affected by the recalled applesauce pouches reported the following symptoms:Headache,nausea,Vomit,Diarrhea,Change in activity levelAndanemia.

If a child is exposed to lead at a young age, the effects of lead poisoning can continue into adulthood, causing an increased risk of high blood pressure and other types of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and reproductive problems.

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Diagnosis and treatment of lead toxicity

Because lead poisoning is difficult to detect based on symptoms, a blood lead test is the best way to diagnose lead poisoning in a child.

In addition to children who may have ingested one of the recalled applesauce pouches, children who may also be at risk for lead poisoning include children who:

Living or residing in a home built before 1978 due to the presence of lead paint. You come from a low-income household. Are immigrants, refugees, or recently adopted from a less developed country. Spend time with someone who works with lead or is exposed to lead in some way

If a child has a BLL that is above the CDC established level (3.5 mcg/dL), a health care provider will first recommend finding the source of the discharge in the child's environment and removing it. They may also prescribe you a diet rich in iron and calcium and recommend further blood tests.

For children with extremely high levels of lead in their blood, health care providers may recommend other treatments, including so-called chelation therapy, a medical treatment to remove lead from the body.

Any parent who has previously purchased the recalled Cinnamon Applesauce WanaBana, Schnucks or Weis or believes their child may have consumed the product should seek the advice of a doctor and possibly test their child's blood for lead.