Required testing in children: Healthcare providers in every state must test all children enrolled in Medicaid for lead at 12 and 24 months. Children must also be tested if they are 24–72 months old and have no record of being tested. For children not enrolled in Medicaid, requirements for blood lead testing vary by state. Some states also have universal or targeted lead testing requirements for children not enrolled in Medicaid. For example, New Jersey requires universal blood lead testing of all children at 1 and 2 years of age or as soon as possible before age 6 with no record of being tested. Ohio requires blood lead testing in all children under 6 years who meet specific risk screening criteria. Clinicians can contact their local or state health department to determine lead testing and reporting requirements in their area.
Recommended testing in children: In addition to Medicaid-required testing, CDC recommends blood lead testing for all children at increased risk for lead exposure. Examples include children who live or spend time in a house or building built before 1978, children from low-income households, children who are immigrants, refugees, or adopted from another country, children who have developmental or behavioral disorders involving pica or mouthing behaviors, and children who are malnourished or iron-deficient.