Pediatricians

Blood lead testing policies are different for each state. Check with your local health department for state-specific requirements. In the absence of state policy, refer to the following federal recommendations for blood lead screening and medical management. Contact us for more information on your state’s requirements.

Medicaid Requirements 

All children enrolled in Medicaid, regardless of whether coverage is funded through title XIX or XXI, are required to receive blood lead screening tests at ages 12 months and 24 months. In addition, any child between ages 24 and 72 months with no record of a previous blood lead screening test must receive one. See Coverage of Blood Lead Testing for Children Enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement

Prevention of Childhood Lead Toxicity
Source: Pediatrics 138(1): e20161493 (2016)

Pediatricians, healthcare providers, and public health officials should TEST children at 12 and 24 months according to the following guidelines:

• Asymptomatic children according to federal, local and state requirements.
• Immigrant, refugee and internationally adopted children when they arrive in the U.S.
• Children living in communities where more than 25% of housing was built before 1960.
• Children living in areas where the prevalence of BLLs ≥ 5 µg/dL is more than 5%.

AAP’s Errata provides clarification on the difference between blood lead screening versus testing.

Medical Management of Childhood Lead Exposure and Poisoning

Recommendations based on a patient’s lead levels.

Source:  Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSU)