1. Tina Lupone Instructor of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, SUNY Upstate “Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY”

2. Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY
Erie
Onondaga

3. Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY
Erie
Onondaga

4. Lead Screening Recommendations & Guidelines
Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY
Lead Screening Recommendations & Guidelines
All Children
AAP: BLL 9-12m and 24m
Risk factor assessment up to 6 years
Refugee Children
NYS & CDC: BLL upon arrival in US and repeat 3-6 months post resettlement
Screening for children 6m – 16 years
Erie

5. 16% anemic per WHO guidelines upon arrival
Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY
Retrospective chart review of all pediatric refugee patients aged 0-16 years attending UHCC between May 2012 and June 2017
BLL, CBC, and demographics extracted from intake evaluation and follow up 3-6 months post resettlement
Elevated / Clinically Significant = ≥ 5.0 µg/dL
51.2% female, mean age 8.0 years, spending on average 6.2 years in country of refuge prior to resettlement in US
16% anemic per WHO guidelines upon arrival
Arrival
0-4.9 µg/dL
585 (83.0%)
µg/dL
108 (15.3%)
≥10.0 µg/dL
12 (1.7%)
Follow-Up
0-4.9 µg/dL
635 (90.1%)
µg/dL
64 (9.1%)
≥10.0 µg/dL
6 (0.9%)

6. Elevated BLL upon Arrival & F/U = 7%
Lead Exposure in Newly Resettled Pediatric Refugees in Syracuse, NY
Elevated BLL upon Arrival & F/U = 7%
Normal BLL upon arrival with elevated BLLs at follow-up = 3%
(While not all clinically significant)
30% increased between arrival and follow-up
Anemia played a role in risk post resettlement
Refugee children are at risk for arriving with lead exposure from their prior country of refuge and that risk does not subside after resettlement in Onondaga County.