Search

Lead exposure is toxic even at low levels, resulting in impairments that can affect a child's lifelong success. In North Carolina, testing for lead is encouraged for all children at ages 1 and 2 years and required for children covered by Medicaid; investigations are performed to identify potential exposure sources for children with blood lead levels (BLLs) ≥5 μg/dL. During June--August 2023, routine lead testing identified four asymptomatic North Carolina children with BLLs ≥5 μg/dL. Home investigations identified only WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches as a potential exposure source; product samples contained 1.9--3.0 ppm of lead. An expanded nationwide investigation led to identification of approximately 500 cases of childhood lead exposure believed to be linked to consumption of apple cinnamon purees, including 22 cases in North Carolina. Fewer than one half (45%) of the 22 North Carolina cases were among children covered by Medicaid. A coordinated multiagency communication strategy was implemented in North Carolina to notify consumers of the hazard and provide recommendations for preventing further exposure. The Food and Drug Administration issued a nationwide public health advisory on October 28, 2023; 2 days later, the manufacturer issued a voluntary recall. Routine testing of young children for lead exposure, combined with thorough environmental investigations, can identify emerging sources of lead exposure and limit further harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the lead screening and prevalence of blood lead levels (BLLs) in blood of children aged one to two years in U.S. Topics discussed include prevention of lead poisoning in children, American Academy of Pediatrics's (AAP) adoption of the Bright Futures guidelines for clinical risk assessment of lead exposure in children, and lead screening recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This article presents a review of data in literature that deals with childhood lead poisoning, sources of lead exposure for adults and children, and the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) of 1991. Lead is a corrosion-resistant, dense, ductile and malleable metal. The effects of lead exposure on children and adults are discussed. Historical trends in blood lead levels are included.

The article discusses the findings of an investigation in 2008 by the Maine Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in the U.S. on the sources of lead poisoning among children. It was discovered that in a number of specific cases the sources of lead contamination were not in the homes of the children affected but in family vehicles and in child safety seats. The article indicates that the sources of the lead contamination were household members who worked in occupations with significant lead exposure.

Lead is a common environmental contaminant, and exposure to lead is a preventable risk that exists in all areas of the United States. Lead is associated with negative outcomes in children, including impaired cognitive, motor, behavioral, and physical abilities. In 1991, CDC defined the blood lead level (BLL) that should prompt public health actions as 10 µg/dL. Concurrently, CDC also recognized that a BLL of 10 µg/dL did not define a threshold for the harmful effects of lead. Research conducted since 1991 has strengthened the evidence that children's physical and mental development can be affected at BLLs <10 µg/dL. This report summarizes the findings of a review of clinical interpretation and management of BLLs <10 µg/dL conducted by CDC's Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention. This report provides information to help clinicians understand BLLs <10 µg/dL, identifies gaps in knowledge concerning lead levels in this range, and outlines strategies to reduce childhood exposures to lead. In addition, this report summarizes scientific data relevant to counseling, blood lead screening, and lead exposure risk assessment. To aid in the interpretation of BLLs, clinicians should understand the laboratory error range for blood lead values and, if possible, select a laboratory that achieves routine performance within ±2 µg/dL. Clinicians should obtain an environmental history on all children they examine, provide families with lead prevention counseling, and follow blood lead screening recommendations established for their areas. As local and patient circumstances permit, clinicians should consider early referral to developmental programs for children at high risk for exposure to lead and consider more frequent rescreening of children with BLLs approaching 10 µg/dL, depending on the potential for exposure to lead, child age, and season of testing. In addition, clinicians should direct parents to agencies and sources of information that will help them establish a lead-safe environment for their children. For these preventive strategies to succeed, partnerships between health-care providers, families, and local public health and housing programs should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on lead testing guidelines to screen and monitor refugee children in 2003-2004, developed by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Details of the recommendations in the guidelines; Increase in the risk for elevated blood lead levels (BLL) among refugee children; Strategies to prevent BLL.

Provides information on a study that described national trends in children's blood lead levels obtained by using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and state data collected by the state Child Blood Lead Surveillance system during 1997-2001 in the U.S. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study; Conclusion.

Investigates the effect of blood lead levels on young children in the United States and selected states from 1996 to 1999. Data from the Center for Disease Control's Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; Prevention efforts of the Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance programs; Significance of the role of state blood lead surveillance systems.

Details the recommendations of the United States Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (ACCLPP) regarding blood lead screening of children enrolled in Medicaid. Change in the epidemiology of lead poisoning; Policies of Health Care Financing Administration for blood lead screening of children; ACCLPP recommendations for health-care providers; Recommendations for states and other agencies that administer Medicaid programs.

The article presents a summary of an investigation conducted by Cincinnati Health Department and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) on 2 cases of childhood lead poisoning in a single family. In June 2010, a male child age 1 year and a female child age 3 were found to have elevated blood lead level (BLL) by routine screening. Investigation of lead poisoning includes an examination of common sources of lead exposure like deteriorating lead paint.

Examines data gathered by the Rhode Island Department of Health on the lead poisoning among children in the state from March 1993 to February 1995. Average blood lead levels (BLL) among children; Percentage of children with elevated BLL; Geometric mean venous BLL among children among children less than six years old.

The article highlights the potential for lead poisoning among children in refugee populations in the U.S. It focuses on two medical cases reported by a clinic to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) where refugee children with elevated blood lead levels (BLL) were shown to have been exposed to the use of kajal, an eye cosmetic from Afghanistan with a 54% lead content. It calls attention to contaminated consumer products as a source of lead exposure when screening for elevated BLLs.

The article discusses a case of lead poisoning in a 1-year-old child that was investigated by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (NYC DOHMH) Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in 2009. It mentions that the likely source of exposure was an amulet from Cambodia with leaded beads that was worn by the child. The child showed an elevated blood lead levels (BLL) after he had been observed mouthing the amulet. The child's BLL rapidly decreased after removing the amulet.

Summarizes a case investigation of lead poisoning in children associated with litargirio use in Rhode Island in 2003. Information on a statewide health alert issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health regarding the use of litargirio; Reason behind the failure of certain ethnic populations to disclose the use of the product; Limitations of the convenience survey conducted to assess litargirio use in the Hispanic community in Providence.

Reports on the cases of lead poisoning among children in the United States as of June 2001. Measurement of blood lead levels; Diagnostic tests utilized; Symptoms of lead poisoning; Discussion on pediatric care.

Corrections are presented for the articles "Notes from the Field: Lead Poisoning in an Infant Associated with a Metal Bracelet — Connecticut, 2016" and "Overdose Deaths Related to Fentanyl and Its Analogs — Ohio, January–February 2017."

The article presents a case study of a nine-month old female infant suffering from lead positioning in Manchester, Connecticut. The patient experienced normocytic anemia and was cared in a 1926-built home with peeling lead-based paint. Her parents noted that she was wearing a “homeopathic magnetic hematite healing bracelet.

The article focuses on lead contamination of the soil and elevated lead levels in the blood of children in Zambia as of 2014. Topics covered include soil contamination with lead due to mining and smelting operations in Kabwe, the Copperbelt Environmental Project funded by the World Bank, soil lead testing, and results of blood tests conducted on children living in the area. Recommendations for remediation of the affected areas and dealing with mine tailings dust are also presented.

The article reports on the approval by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (ACCLPP). In its report "Low Level Lead Exposure Harms Children: A Renewed Call for Primary Prevention," the committee advised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and CDC regarding new knowledge, technical developments and their implications for efforts in childhood lead poisoning prevention.

The article presents an investigation of reports of death from lead poisoning in at least six villages in Zamfara, Nigeria that was conducted by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health with the help of federal, state and international organizations. Among the participating organizations were the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In the 12 months starting May 2009, 118 of 463 children below 5 years old in the 119 family compounds surveyed died.