154478 New York City strategy to prevent lead poisoning in pregnant women and their newborns

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Jacqueline Ehrlich, MD, MPH , Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Celia Ng, RN, MSN , Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
Barbara Candalla, BS , Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY
     
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:
1. Identify the harmful effects of lead exposure for pregnant women and their newborns 2. Assess a pregnant woman’s risk of lead exposure 3. Implement lead poisoning prevention strategies for pregnant women and their newborns in their own communities

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.

See more of: Maternal and Child Health
See more of: Population, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health