Clinician follow-up of children screened for lead poisoning

Objectives. This study assessed clinicians' compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for follow-up of children with blood lead (BPb) levels of 0.48 μmol/L (10 μg/dL) or higher. Methods. Clinicians success at follow-up was determined for 3 BPb ranges: ≥0.97 μmol/L, 0.73 through 0.92 μmol/L, and 0.48 through 0.68 μmol/L (≥20 μg/dL, 15-19 μg/dL, and 10-14 μg/dL, respectively). Results. A total of 410 children with elevated BPb levels were followed over a 12-month period; within 4 months, 71% of those with initial levels of 0.97 μmo/L or greater were retested and 57% and 34% of children with initial BPb levels of 0.73 through 0.92 μmol/L and 0.48 through 0.68 μmol/L, respectively, were retested. Conclusions. Follow-up of children with elevated BPb levels in inadequate within an urban ambulatory care network.