University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia, PO Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0729, USA.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2020 Feb;22(1):10-16. doi: 10.1007/s10903-019-00878-6.
This study sought to evaluate the prevalence of blood lead levels (BLL) in refugee children upon arrival to the U.S. and determine whether they received BLL screening and follow-up according to CDC guidelines. 301 refugee children ages 6 months to 16 years were seen at the International Family Medicine Clinic from 2003 to 2016. Data were collected on BLL, treatment, age, gender, English proficiency, native language, anemia, malnutrition, and microcytosis. Bivariate analyses were conducted to determine the association between these variables and BLL. The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (EBLL), defined as ≥ 10 µg/dL before June 2012 and ≥ 5 µg/dL from June 2012, was observed in 13% (n = 39). Male sex (p = 0.033), young age (p = 0.003), and microcytosis (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with EBLL. Follow-up and treatment for EBLL were lower than the recommended CDC guidelines for BLL and greater education of healthcare providers is needed.
本研究旨在评估抵达美国的难民儿童的血铅水平（BLL）患病率，并确定他们是否按照疾病预防控制中心的指南进行了 BLL 筛查和随访。2003 年至 2016 年，301 名 6 个月至 16 岁的难民儿童在国际家庭医学诊所就诊。收集了血铅水平、治疗、年龄、性别、英语水平、母语、贫血、营养不良和小细胞性贫血的数据。进行了双变量分析，以确定这些变量与 BLL 之间的关联。观察到血铅水平升高（EBLL）的患病率为 13%（n=39），定义为 2012 年 6 月前≥10μg/dL 和 2012 年 6 月后≥5μg/dL。男性（p=0.033）、年龄较小（p=0.003）和小细胞性贫血（p=0.009）与 EBLL 显著相关。EBLL 的随访和治疗低于疾病预防控制中心 BLL 指南推荐的标准，需要对医疗保健提供者进行更多的教育。
