Pediatric lead screening in a suburban family practice setting.
BACKGROUND
The adverse effects of lead on behavioral and intellectual development have been recognized for many years. During the past 10 years several studies have shown that lead is toxic to children at levels previously thought to be harmless. Black children living in urban neighborhoods have been identified as being at greatest risk.


METHODS
To determine whether children seen in a suburban family practice center were being exposed to lead, voluntary screening of 1-year-old patients was performed.


RESULTS
Over a 7-month period venous specimens for blood lead level were obtained from 40 children. Seventeen (43%) of the children had levels of 0.0 to 0.2 mumol/L (0 to 4 micrograms/dL). Fifteen (38%) had levels of 0.24 to 0.43 mumol/L (5 to 9 micrograms/dL). Eight (20%) children had levels of 0.48 mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL) or greater. The highest value obtained was 0.82 mumol/L (17 micrograms/dL). Seventy-five percent of the children with significantly elevated lead levels resided in suburban communities.


CONCLUSIONS
Children seen in a suburban family practice setting are at risk for lead exposure, and screening should be considered by primary care physicians who practice in nonurban settings.
Kirchner
J T
JT
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
Kelley
B A
BA
D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013383:Suburban Population
D007854:Lead