M Markowitz1, J F Rosen, I Clemente. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
Abstract
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 mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL) or higher. METHODS: Clinicians' success at follow-up was determined for 3 BPb ranges: > or = 0.97 mumol/L, 0.73 through 0.92 mumol/L, and 0.48 through 0.68 mumol/L (> or = 20 micrograms/dL, 15-19 micrograms/dL, and 10-14 micrograms/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 mumol/L or greater were retested and 57% and 34% of children with initial BPb levels of 0.73 through 0.92 mumol/L and 0.48 through 0.68 mumol/L, respectively, were retested. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of children with elevated BPb levels is inadequate within an urban ambulatory care network.
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 mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL) or higher. METHODS: Clinicians' success at follow-up was determined for 3 BPb ranges: > or = 0.97 mumol/L, 0.73 through 0.92 mumol/L, and 0.48 through 0.68 mumol/L (> or = 20 micrograms/dL, 15-19 micrograms/dL, and 10-14 micrograms/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 mumol/L or greater were retested and 57% and 34% of children with initial BPb levels of 0.73 through 0.92 mumol/L and 0.48 through 0.68 mumol/L, respectively, were retested. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of children with elevated BPb levels is inadequate within an urban ambulatory care network.