Clinician follow-up of children screened for lead poisoning

Objectives. This study assessed clinicians' compliance with Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention recommendations for follow-up of children with blood lead (BPb) levels of 0.48 mu mol/L (10 mu g/dL) or higher. Methods. Clinicians' success at follow-up was determined for 3 BPb ranges: greater than or equal to 0.97 mu mol/L, 0.73 through 0.92 mu mol/L, and 0.4 8 through 0.68 mu mol/L (greater than or equal to 20 mu g/dL, 15-19 mu g/dL , and 10-14 mu g/dL, respectively). Results. A total of 410 children with elevated BPb levels were followed ove r a 12-month period; within 4 months, 71% of those with initial levels of 0 .97 mu mol/L or greater were retested and 57% and 34% of children with init ial BPb levels of 0.73 through 0.92 mu mol/L and 0.48 through 0.68 mu mol/L , respectively, were retested. Conclusions. Follow-up of children with elevated BPb levels is inadequate w ithin an urban ambulatory care network.