My doctor has ordered a lead test for my infant daughter. He told me that it was Illinois law that they be tested this way. I called the lab that is going to do it and they said they have to draw blood (from the arm, as they would an older child or an adult) Is this the law in all states? Is it just Illinois? Where can I find out more information about this?
2007-03-22 09:57:03 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I'm in minnesota and we only have to have our children tested if its possible their exposed to lead some way. Like living near the interstate and lead paint in your house. When I lived in Illinois I know it was made law because a lot of kids suffered from lead poisioning and obtained it from lead paint.
2007-03-22 10:07:11 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of 5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New York requires it to be done on ALL children at 9months old and 2 years old - and repeat tests done for abnormal readings or those at high risk.
The reason is that some places leach lead into water supply, or if you live in an older home, there could be lead pipes, or lead based paint used in constuction. Having excess lead in the body is poisonous and it can lead to brain damage, especially in children.
A "normal" lead reading is less than 10. Most common is <3 but I've seen a child with a reading of 83. This child lived in an old building in an inner city and had SEVERE brain damage. The reason they draw the blood from the arm is that it's more accurate - sticking their finger might produce a false high reading because of contamination, and that means they have to do it again.
www.aap.org <--- American Academy of Pediatrics - this might have the guidelines for which the law is based.
2007-03-22 19:51:33 · answer #2 · answered by zippythejessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call public health to find out what the law is.
However honestly a blood draw is pretty safe.
2007-03-22 17:08:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Maryland and its the law here. the child must be tested in order to attend any daycare home or school. It is for their own benefit, as lead has many dangers, It will be ok, its just alitte stick just like when they are gettting shots.
2007-03-26 16:20:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They do it here in Wisconsin at 1 year also. For my baby, they just did a finger prick, not a full blood draw.
2007-03-22 17:36:28 · answer #5 · answered by Terri B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋