Journal article
High prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in both rural and urban Iowa newborns: Spatial patterns and area-level covariates
PloS one, Vol.12(5), pp.e0177930-e0177930
2017
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177930
PMCID: PMC5433780
PMID: 28520816
Abstract
Lead in maternal blood can cross the placenta and result in elevated blood lead levels in newborns, potentially producing negative effects on neurocognitive function, particularly if combined with childhood lead exposure. Little research exists, however, into the burden of elevated blood lead levels in newborns, or the places and populations in which elevated lead levels are observed in newborns, particularly in rural settings. Using ~2300 dried bloods spots collected within 1-3 days of birth among Iowa newborns, linked with the area of mother's residence at the time of birth, we examine the spatial patterns of elevated (>5 μg/dL) blood lead levels and the ecological-level predictors of elevated blood lead levels. We find that one in five newborns exceed the 5 μg/dL action level set by the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Bayesian spatial zero inflated regression indicates that elevated blood lead in newborns is associated with areas of increased pre-1940s housing and childbearing-age women with low educational status in both rural and urban settings. No differences in blood lead levels or the proportion of children exceeding 5 μg/dL are observed between urban and rural maternal residence, though a spatial cluster of elevated blood lead is observed in rural counties. These characteristics can guide the recommendation for testing of infants at well-baby appointments in places where risk factors are present, potentially leading to earlier initiation of case management. The findings also suggest that rural populations are at as great of risk of elevated blood lead levels as are urban populations. Analysis of newborn dried blood spots is an important tool for lead poisoning surveillance in newborns and can direct public health efforts towards specific places and populations where lead testing and case management will have the greatest impact.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- High prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in both rural and urban Iowa newborns: Spatial patterns and area-level covariates
- Creators
- Margaret Carrel - Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaDavid Zahrieh - Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaSean G Young - Department of Geographical & Sustainability Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaJacob Oleson - Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaKelli K Ryckman - Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaBrian Wels - State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaDonald L Simmons - State Hygienic Laboratory, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaAudrey Saftlas - Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of America
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- PloS one, Vol.12(5), pp.e0177930-e0177930
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pone.0177930
- PMID
- 28520816
- PMCID
- PMC5433780
- NLM abbreviation
- PLoS One
- ISSN
- 1932-6203
- eISSN
- 1932-6203
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100008893, name: University of Iowa
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2017
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Epidemiology; Biostatistics; Interdisciplinary Programs; Geographical and Sustainability Sciences; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9983983672902771
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