Final Recommendation Statement: Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children and Pregnant Women: Screening - US Preventive Services Task Force

Final Recommendation Statement: Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children and Pregnant Women: Screening - US Preventive Services Task Force

Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Lead

Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children and Pregnant Women The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on screening for elevated blood lead levels in children and pregnant women. The Task Force’s final recommendation calls for more research on how clinicians can help prevent health problems related to lead exposure. To view the recommendation and the evidence on which it is based, please go here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the April 16, 2019 online issue of JAMA. The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY See the full statement

Population Recommendation Grade Children 5 years and younger The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for elevated blood lead levels in asymptomatic children. I Pregnant persons The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for elevated blood lead levels in asymptomatic pregnant persons. I

WHY THIS MATTERS

"We are calling for more research so clinicians can have better ways to prevent and treat health problems that can result from lead exposure,” says Task Force member Michael Silverstein, M.D., M.P.H. “Clinicians should use their best judgement about if and when to screen children and pregnant women without signs or symptoms for lead and keep up to date on any concerns about lead in their community.”

WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS

Draft Research Plan Final Research Plan Draft Recommendation / Draft Evidence Review  Final Recommendation / Evidence Summary