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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing
4276.0: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - Board 3

Abstract #154478

New York City strategy to prevent lead poisoning in pregnant women and their newborns

Jacqueline Ehrlich, MD, MPH, Celia Ng, RN, MSN, and Barbara Candalla, BS. Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 253 Broadway, New York, NY 10007, 212-676-6140, jehrlich@health.nyc.gov

Research suggests that lead poisoning during pregnancy is associated with spontaneous abortion, premature birth, maternal hypertension and decreased fetal growth. Elevated maternal blood lead levels may reflect recent exposure to exogenous lead sources and/or mobilization of endogenous bone stores.

In addition, fetal exposure to lead may adversely affect neurodevelopment. A pregnant woman with an elevated BLL can pass the lead to her developing fetus, and children born with elevated blood lead levels may suffer cognitive and developmental problems as a result of such prenatal exposure.

This presentation will describe NYC's efforts to prevent lead poisoning in pregnant women. The presentation will (1) present data on lead and pregnancy in NYC; (2) describe the health effects of lead on pregnancy and fetal development; and (3) describe NYC's innovative guidelines for the prevention, identification and management of lead poisoning in pregnant women.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Prenatal Care, Lead

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Maternal and Child Health

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA