title: Lead poisoning among Burmese refugee children--Indiana, 2009.
abstract: Recent routine screening revealed multiple cases of unexplained lead poisoning among children of Burmese refugees living in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine (a) the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) among Burmese children and (b) potential sources of lead exposure. A case was defined as an elevated venous BLL (≥10 µg/dL); prevalence was compared with all Indiana children screened during 2008. Environmental and product samples were tested for lead. In all, 14 of 197 (7.1%) children had elevated BLLs (prevalence ratio: 10.7) that ranged from 10.2 to 29.0 µg/dL. Six cases were newly identified; 4 were among US-born children. Laboratory testing identified a traditional ethnic digestive remedy, Daw Tway, containing a median 520 ppm lead. A multilevel linear regression model identified daily use of thanakha, an ethnic cosmetic, and Daw Tway use were related to elevated BLLs (P < .05). Routine monitoring of BLLs among this population should remain a priority.
authors.affiliation: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. mritchey@isdh.in.gov
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ritchey
authors.forename: Marissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scalia Sucosky
authors.forename: Taran
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jefferies
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCormick
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hesting
authors.forename: Curtis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanton
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duwve
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Randolph Daley
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarrett
authors.forename: Mary Jean
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D020264:Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002052:Myanmar / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012036:Refugees; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents