Clinical Pediatrics
Volume 50, Issue 7, 2011, Pages 648-656

Lead poisoning among burmese refugee children-Indiana, 2009 (Article)

Ritchey M.D.* , Scalia Sucosky M. , Jefferies T. , McCormick D. , Hesting A. , Blanton C. , Duwve J. , Bruner R. , Randolph Daley W. , Jarrett J. , Brown M.J.
  • a Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States, 2 N. Meridian Avenue 5K99, Indianapolis, IN 46204, United States
  • b National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • c National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • d Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States
  • e Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, Fort Wayne, IN, United States
  • f National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • g Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States
  • h Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, United States
  • i Scientific Education and Professional Development Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • j National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • k National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States

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. © 2011 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Screening Refugee Childhood lead poisoning Traditional medicine

Index Keywords

refugee human Indiana Refugees cosmetic Lead Poisoning Cross-Sectional Studies laboratory test United States Gastrointestinal Agents Humans Lead Poisoning, Nervous System, Childhood traditional medicine male lead lead blood level preschool child female Infant Child, Preschool Risk Factors clinical article Myanmar prevalence Article Linear Models Medicine, East Asian Traditional Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79959934518&doi=10.1177%2f0009922811398958&partnerID=40&md5=cc5140287a6694552c5fa94a99dc7b28
DOI: 10.1177/0009922811398958
ISSN: 00099228
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English