Plumbism: Elevated lead levels in children

Over a century after the first reported cases in the pediatric literature, children with elevated lead levels continue to present an environmental health challenge. An elevated lead level during early childhood places a child at potential risk for long-term developmental disabilities. Management of children with elevated lead levels is most effective when there is a team approach among medical, environmental, and public health personnel. Although there are resources and chelating agents available to assist children with elevated lead levels, the best intervention is primary prevention.