Blood lead levels of refugee children resettled in Massachusetts, 2000 to 2007.
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| Title: | Blood lead levels of refugee children resettled in Massachusetts, 2000 to 2007. |
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| Authors: | Eisenberg, Katherine W (AUTHOR), van Wijngaarden, Edwin (AUTHOR), Fisher, Susan G (AUTHOR), Korfmacher, Katrina S (AUTHOR), Campbell, James R (AUTHOR), Fernandez, I Diana (AUTHOR), Cochran, Jennifer (AUTHOR), Geltman, Paul L (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | American Journal of Public Health. Jan2011, Vol. 101 Issue 1, p48-54. 7p. |
| Subjects: | Lead poisoning in children, Lead poisoning, Health of refugee children, Serodiagnosis, Massachusetts. Dept. of Public Health |
| Geographic Terms: | Massachusetts |
| Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: We described elevated blood lead level (BLL; >= 10 [mu]g/dL) prevalence among newly arrived refugee children in Massachusetts. We also investigated the incidence of BLL increases and BLLs newly elevated to 20 [mu]g/dL or higher in the year following initial testing, along with associated factors. METHODS: We merged data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Refugee and Immigrant Health Program and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program on 1148 refugee children younger than 7 years who arrived in Massachusetts from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS: Elevated BLL prevalence was 16% among newly arrived refugee children. The rate ratio for BLL elevation to 20 [mu]g/dL or higher after arrival was 12.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.2, 24.5) compared with children in communities the state defines as high-risk for childhood lead exposure. Residence in a census tract with older housing (median year built before 1950) was associated with a higher rate of BLL increases after resettlement (hazard ratio = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Refugee children are at high risk of lead exposure before and after resettlement in Massachusetts. A national surveillance system of refugee children's BLLs following resettlement would allow more in-depth analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | OBJECTIVES: We described elevated blood lead level (BLL; >= 10 [mu]g/dL) prevalence among newly arrived refugee children in Massachusetts. We also investigated the incidence of BLL increases and BLLs newly elevated to 20 [mu]g/dL or higher in the year following initial testing, along with associated factors. METHODS: We merged data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Refugee and Immigrant Health Program and the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program on 1148 refugee children younger than 7 years who arrived in Massachusetts from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS: Elevated BLL prevalence was 16% among newly arrived refugee children. The rate ratio for BLL elevation to 20 [mu]g/dL or higher after arrival was 12.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.2, 24.5) compared with children in communities the state defines as high-risk for childhood lead exposure. Residence in a census tract with older housing (median year built before 1950) was associated with a higher rate of BLL increases after resettlement (hazard ratio = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: Refugee children are at high risk of lead exposure before and after resettlement in Massachusetts. A national surveillance system of refugee children's BLLs following resettlement would allow more in-depth analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00900036 |
| DOI: | 10.2105/AJPH.2009.184408 |
