Lead Poisoning Can Mimic Autism

January 19, 2008

We've heard a lot about the recalls for the toys made with lead

paint. Lead poisoning can have severe impacts on a child and his or

her family.

Problems for Noah Breakiron began at nine-months-old. He was often

sick and out of control.

" We couldn't go to the grocery store, church, really anywhere due to

the screaming, " said Rob, Noah's dad.

Noah was diagnosed with autism, but then the underlying problem was

discovered: lead poisoning. Noah had seven-times the upper limit of

lead in his body.

" We were shocked, " said Breakiron, Noah's mother. " We were

absolutely shocked. Like, lead poisoning? That can't be right. "

and Rob couldn't pinpoint how the lead got in Noah's body. But

now, his parents believe it might have been from his toys.

" I can tell you when he was a toddler, he was always chewing on

stuff, " said Rob.

Chealation treatments have reduced Noah's lead levels and have made a

huge impact.

" It was really powerful and amazing for us to watch. It was like

literally watching a miracle right in front of your eyes, " said Rob.

Pediatrician Berger is Noah's doctor.

" We have a child here who is virtually indistinguishable from his

peers and that's certainly not what he was a year or two years ago, "

said Dr. Berger.

Dr. Berger says a developing brain is much more sensitive to lead

exposure. He says universal testing for lead in young kids should be

done. It's a blood test doctors stopped doing routinely ten years

ago, but one he says parents should ask for.

" This can cause significant long term problems and it's worthwhile

checking for, " said Dr. Berger.

" With Noah's level of lead poisoning, if that would have continued,

he could have died, " said .

Today, you can't tell that Noah's body is in a battle to remove the

lead. He just seems like a typical four year old, and that's good

news. Because the symptoms of autism and lead poisoning mimic each

other, Noah's parents say they will never know which came first,

autism or lead poisoning.

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