145993 Childhood lead toxicity: Trends in inpatient admissions over a five year period from 11 states

Monday, November 5, 2007

Robert J. Borotkanics, MPH , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Kensington, MD
     
Research Objectives This study leveraged the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) to determine if there have been changes in the number, rate, demographic profile and regional concentrations of childhood inpatient admissions resulting from lead toxicity. The study looked at a five year period across 11 states.

Methods This research used data from the HCUP effort, which is a family of databases; the largest collection of longitudinal hospital care in the US. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality runs the project.

Results Lead toxicity cases that result in inpatient admissions have declined over the time period in question. Racial and gender stratification is consistent with previous studies. Cases do span the full age range, with the overwhelming majority of cases realized before the age of five. Cases aged 0–5 and African Americans have experienced the greatest improvement.

Conclusions Inpatient cases are the most severe and very often lead to permanent damage. Lead toxicity is a low prevalence event that is preventable and should be classified a sentinel event.

Learning Objectives:
1. Articulate the present demographic trends of children who exhibit lead toxicity that leads to inpatient admissions. 2. Apply this research’s findings to help prioritize intervention and prevention programs at the local, regional and state levels.

Keywords: Lead, Child/Adolescent

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Not applicable.

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.

See more of: Environment Section Poster Session II -- Student Posters
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