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Blood Lead
Screening Recommendations
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All children in Arizona should receive
at
least one venous or capillary blood lead test between the ages of 12
and 24 months. Children 25 -72 months of age should receive a blood lead
test, if not previously tested.
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Children covered by the Arizona Health
Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and KidsCare should be screened according
to Health Care Financing Agency (HCFA) requirements, as follows: screen
all AHCCCS and KidsCare children at 12 and at 24 months. Screen
all children 36-72 months of age, if not previously tested.
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Children should be screened by a blood lead
measurement of either a venous or capillary (fingerstick) blood specimen.
The venipuncture is a more accurate procedure with fewer false positive
results, but is more invasive. The capillary draw is less expensive, an
easier method of testing, and is less invasive. The capillary draw must
be followed by a confirmatory venous draw when the capillary test result
is >10 µg/dL. If children's fingers are properly cleaned,
capillary sampling can perform well as a screening tool.
Blood lead screening also is indicated
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A child's likelihood of exposure has increased
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Child is older and has excessive mouthing
behavior or an exposure to lead
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A sibling or playmate has an elevated blood
lead level
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Parents have knowledge of a child's lead exposure
and request screening
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Children have unexplained symptoms or signs
that are consistent with lead poisoning
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Health care providers should provide family
education. The ADHS provides assistance to families and health care providers
in this area.
Family education includes: |
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Interpretation of blood test results
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Potential adverse effects of elevated blood
lead levels
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Sources of exposure and ways to reduce exposure
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Directions and importance of proper cleaning
to remove lead dust on floors, window sills, and any other surface, and
the ineffectiveness of dry methods of cleaning
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The importance of good nutrition in reducing
the absorption and effects of lead, adequate calcium and iron, and regular
meals
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The need for follow-up testing to monitor
the blood lead level
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Results of the environmental investigation
performed by ADHS, if applicable
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Hazards of improper removal of lead based
paint. Particularly hazardous are open flame burning, power sanding, water
blasting, chemical stripping, and sanding and
scraping.
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A downloadable version of The Screening Policy &
Guidance for Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning in Arizona [PDF 586K] is available. The download is in PDF
format. It is necessary to have Acrobat
Reader™ on your machine to view the download.
Permission to quote from or reproduce materials from this publication is granted when due acknowledgment is made.
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