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Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, MD, MPH, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Metro Nashville Public Health Department, 311 23rd Ave North, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-340-5614, kimberlee.wyche@nashville.gov and Sandra Kaylor, RN, Help Us Grow Program Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Metro Nashville Public Health Department, 311 23rd Ave, Nashville, TN 37203.
Objective: Despite years of regulations limiting lead containing products, lead poisoning in children remains a serious, and preventable health concern. Lead poisoned children are at risk for cognitive and physiological deficits. Even with this knowledge, many young children are not tested for lead, and poisoning is often not detected. By increasing the number of at risk children tested, this project aimed to increase the identification of children with high blood lead levels, and to try to identify areas in the city for further testing. Methods: The target population was low-income children ages 1-6, eligible for Women Infant Child program services through the local health department, and who were due for routine blood work. As part of their WIC visit, families received 1:1 education about lead poisoning, and a lead poisoning risk assessment. All eligible children then had their blood drawn, which was also tested for lead. Children with abnormal values were referred for case management and home inspection. Results: Results were tallied and mapped using zip code of primary residence. Over a period of 6 weeks, 252 children were tested. 48% were 2-5 yrs. 45% were African American, 53% were white, No children with clinically high values were found, the highest value being 6. However, half of the children with values of 5-6 reside in the same zip code. Conclusion: Nontraditional sites for lead testing, and mapping the results, may be a way of identifying areas that have higher populations of at risk children, warranting more targeted prevention efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Lead,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.