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1. Anemia, Lead Poisoning
and Child Care
Health and Safety Notes
California Childcare Health Program
Childhood Lead Poisoning
Lead poisoning is the most common environmental disease
affecting children in our country today. While some lead
naturally occurs in the earth’s soil, our bodies have no use
for it: in fact, it is toxic in any amount in our bodies. We have
released lead into our environment by adding it to gasoline,
paint, pottery and some industrial processes. Homes and
buildings built before 1978 will almost certainly contain some
lead-based paint.
Lead poisoning can cause serious
health problems for children. It can
slow their growth, cause learning dis-
abilities and behavioral problems, and
damage major organs such as the kid-
neys and brain.
Children between the ages of one
and six years are most at risk for lead
poisoning. Because young children
often put their hands and toys in their
mouths, they can swallow lead that gets
on their hands and toys from dust, dirt
and chipping paint.
Lead-based paint is not the only source
of lead inside homes and child care programs. Lead can also
be found in common household items such as pottery, home
medical remedies, cosmetics, imported food products and
candies, cans with lead-soldered seams, toys, mini-blinds
and other products made of vinyl.
Children at risk for lead poisoning should have a blood lead
test. This is the only way to find out if a child has lead poi-
soning. We don’t really know how many children are lead
poisoned because so few children are tested. However, all
insurance plans pay for the test.
Parents can ask their child’s medical provider to perform a
lead test.
Child care providers can test their program for paint and
products containing lead.
Source: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, California Department of
Health Services
Iron Deficiency Anemia
We need iron to keep our blood strong. Low levels of iron
in a child’s blood can make the child pale, tired, cranky, eat
poorly, get sick more easily, get more infections, and have
trouble learning.
Iron is a mineral found in some foods. Eating foods that
are high in iron can help keep children healthy and feeling well.
Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt
and ice cream are very low in iron. They
are good for bones and teeth because
they have a lot of calcium, but drink-
ing too much milk can contribute to
anemia. The milk fills the child up and
he or she doesn’t eat enough food high
in iron. Babies should be weaned from
the bottle by about 1 year of age.At this
age, they should drink only 2 to 3 cups
of milk per day (16 -24 oz).
Infants and children should have their
blood tested for iron-deficiency anemia.
Anemia can be prevented and mild
cases can be reversed by eating diets
high in iron.
Vitamin C helps the body use iron, so combine foods high
in iron and vitamin C in meals and snacks.
Some foods high in iron
Beef, pork, liver, fish cooked beans, tofu, iron-fortified cere-
als, enriched tortillas and breads, leafy greens, dried fruit
and prune juice.
Some foods high in vitamin C
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, potatoes, bell pep-
pers, oranges, melon and strawberries.
Serve children foods high in iron and vitamin C, and cook
in iron pots.
Source: WIC Supplemental Nutrition Branch, California Department of Health
Services
Lead poisoning can cause anemia.
Anemia makes it easier for lead
to get into the blood.
Lead poisoning and anemia are both
detected by a blood test.
Lead poisoning and anemia are both
preventable.
Practice good nutrition and proper
handwashing to help prevent lead
poisoning and iron deficiency anemia.
California Childcare Health Program • 1950 Addison St., Suite 107 • Berkeley, CA 94704-1182
Telephone 510–204-0930 • Fax 510–204-0931 • Healthline 1-800-333-3212 • www.ucsfchildcarehealth.org