Lead screening among low-income children in Galveston, Texas.
The objective of this study was to report results of a lead-screening program for low-income children living in Galveston, Texas. We obtained blood lead by graphite furnace spectrophotometry on 1,571 children aged 6 months to 8 years. Nineteen percent of children had blood lead levels > or = 10 mcg/dL. Risk factors included African-American ethnicity, young age, and residence in old housing. Follow-up was accomplished in only 50% of children with low-level toxicity. Lead screening is an important public health measure in communities with old houses. For screening to be successful, caregivers need to devote additional effort to follow-up.
Javier
F C
FC
Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1119, USA.
McCormick
D P
DP
Alcock
N W
NW
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D007854:Lead