A routine well-child check-up includes an annual screening for lead poisoning. Even if your children are not going to get any immunizations, it is important that they be screened for lead at ages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 years.
Lead can seriously harm a child’s health. Exposure to lead can come through household dust, bare soil, drinking water, lead-based paint on antiques, imported toys or pottery and hair dyes and cosmetics.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control states that exposure to lead can damage the brain and nervous system, slow growth and development and cause learning, behavior, hearing and speech problems.
Iowa law requires children entering kindergarten be screened for lead poisoning. But waiting until age 5 means much damage might already have occurred. That’s why an annual blood screen is important.
Many insurance plans, including Medicaid and hawk-i, will pay for this annual blood test.
Adults can also become lead poisoned, but it usually won’t have such devastating effects on their brains. Children’s developing brains and nervous systems will sustain much more damage from exposure to lead.
If you aren’t sure if your little ones have been screened for lead, call your clinic and ask.
Ann Cochran is the health navigation coordinator for the Dallas County Health Department.
