Author in the Room: Follow-up Testing Among Children with Elevated Screening Blood Lead Levels

Summary: This week: Dr. Kemer discusses how about half the children, age six and under with elevated blood lead levels, didn't receive follow up testing and among them, nonwhite children and those living in urban and other high-risk lead settings, were even less likely to receive follow up testing compared to their counterparts; thus proving the need for interventions to overcome disparities in care. These follow up tests for children with high blood lead levels are essential for managing lead poisoning and for maximizing cognitive development.