Diagnostic
Testing For Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels
A diagnostic test is the first venous blood
lead test performed within 6 months on a child with a previously elevated
blood lead level on a screening test. If the diagnostic test is not performed
within 6 months, the next test is considered a new screening test, and
decisions about follow-up testing should be made on the basis of the new
test, and not on the basis of the original screening test.
It is relatively common for children to
have slightly elevated screening test results that do not persist on additional
testing. For this reason, it is preferable to base intervention on the
results of diagnostic testing.
Consider performing the diagnostic test
sooner than indicated in the accompanying schedule if:
The child is less than 12 months old, or
There is reason to believe that a child's
blood lead level may be increasing.
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