The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65025

Laura L. Jelliffe-Pawlowski, PhD¹, Joseph G. Courtney, PhD¹, Sunita Q. Miles, BS¹, Valerie Charlton, MD, MPH¹, Susan F. Payne, MS², and Barbara L. Materna, PhD, CIH². (1) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1801, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-622-4915, ljelliff@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1901, Oakland, CA 94612

Although pregnant women with elevated blood-lead levels (EBLL ³ 10 mg/dL) and their resulting offspring are known to be at an increased risk for a myriad of pre- and perinatal difficulties (e.g., hypertension, spontaneous abortion, restricted pre- and postnatal growth), little is known about population-based risk factors for this condition. In 2002, we initiated a retrospective pilot study of lead poisoning among pregnant women and their resulting offspring with the aim of characterizing these risks. Initial review of data collected between 1992 and 2002 found 139 cases of "known" or "likely" lead poisoning among pregnant women (maternal or neonatal EBLL or maternal report of ingestion of lead-containing material (pica) during pregnancy and child EBLL) and 618 instances where lead poisoning was "suspected" (report of within-residence lead hazard during pregnancy). In cases where the resulting EBLL among offspring was ³ 20 mg/dL (n=72), an exposure source was identified in nearly all cases (88.9%). Pica behavior during pregnancy was noted in 40 cases (44.4%). Common additional lead hazards included chipping or peeling lead-containing paint (n=29, 40.3%), the use of lead-containing ceramics for drinking or cooking (n=21, 29.2%), elevated lead levels in soil (n=17, 23.6%) or dust (n=14, 19.5%), and occupational exposure of the woman or a family member (n=10, 13.9%). Most of the maternal-infant pairs were Hispanic (n=66, 91.7%) and, compared to the California population as a whole, were more likely to come from communities where homes tended to have been built before 1950 (45.3% for cases compared to 17.1% statewide).

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the population of lead-poisoned women and their offspring identified between 1992 and 2002 by state programs in California.
• Identify lead-related hazards that place pregnant women and their offspring at risk.
• Understand what demographic groups are at the highest risk for pregnancy-related lead poisoning.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Pregnancy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.