The Cribsiders S5 Ep90: Lead Screening
Aug 2, 2023
Dr. Marissa Hauptman, Co-director of Boston Children’s Hospital Pediatric Environmental Health Center, discusses lead screening, elevated lead levels, and taking an environmental exposure history. They cover the importance of lead screening in young children and the risks of lead exposure on brain development. The podcast also addresses factors contributing to lead exposure, health disparities, lead poisoning symptoms, treatment with chelation therapy, and supporting healthy housing.
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Lead Screening Recommendations
- Screen children for lead exposure at 12 months, alongside other tests like anemia screening.
- Consider state guidelines and risk factors like living in older homes when recommending lead testing frequency.
Impact of Lead Exposure
- There is no safe level of lead exposure, as it can negatively impact neurological development, even at low levels.
- However, the dose and duration of exposure matter, and reducing lead levels can improve outcomes.
Lead Testing Methods
- Capillary lead tests are less traumatic, provide immediate results, and offer insights into environmental lead.
- Venous samples are the gold standard for confirming elevated capillary results, especially above 3.5 µg/dL.