Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
2019

The Prevalence of Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Foreign-Born Refugee Children Upon Arrival to the U.S. and the Adequacy of Follow-up Treatment (Article)

Seifu S.* , Tanabe K. , Hauck F.R.
  • a University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States, Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, PO Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0729, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, PO Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0729, United States
  • c Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, PO Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0729, United States

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of blood lead levels (BLL) in refugee children upon arrival to the U.S. and determine whether they received BLL screening and follow-up according to CDC guidelines. 301 refugee children ages 6 months to 16 years were seen at the International Family Medicine Clinic from 2003 to 2016. Data were collected on BLL, treatment, age, gender, English proficiency, native language, anemia, malnutrition, and microcytosis. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine the association between these variables and BLL. The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLL), defined as ≥ 10 µg/dL before June 2012 and ≥ 5 µg/dL from June 2012, was observed in 13% (n = 39). Male sex (p = 0.033), young age (p = 0.003), and microcytosis (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with EBLL. Follow-up and treatment for EBLL were lower than the recommended CDC guidelines for BLL and greater education of healthcare providers is needed. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Elevated blood lead levels Refugee children Follow-up lead poisoning Foreign-born

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063231047&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-019-00878-6&partnerID=40&md5=3293b255afd6dfe0fab197c2f666d5d8
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00878-6
ISSN: 15571912
Original Language: English