blood count and lead levels

Did your pedi recommend that the kids have their blood drawn for a blood count and lead levels at a year of age? My older son never had to get this done but we had a different pedi then. Our new pedi wants to do it for the twins. Just curious if this is routine practice for most doctors.

 

Mine have all had it done in conjunction with their 15 month WBV. I think it's pretty standard!

 

Nope... but I was less than impressed with our pedi at the 12 and 15 month visits. This might be just one more thing that he forgot.

 

Our boys had a lead test before they turned one.

 

Depends on where you live. In Boston it was standard because the homes were so old that high lead levels were a much more common and bigger problem. Now we live in UT, where the homes are newer overall, and it's not required unless you are in a high risk group (i.e. you live in an old home). It could also just be pedi. preference, but when I asked about it when we moved here, that was the explanation I was given.

 

We did not have to have that done. As a matter of fact, I have never heard of that before.

 

I agree that it depends on where you live. Each of my doctors have always asked what type of house we live in. And what area of town. My older kids didn't need it until we moved to this big old house (where we have lead windows that the kids aren't allowed near...and we are replacing slowly).

 

We had a Hemoglobin check (finger prick) at our 1 yr WBV, but my SIL (in IA) said that they do it at the 9 mo visit there. We declined the Lead level check b/c we live in a new home & the boys are never anywhere that's older or where they'd be exposed...otherwise I would have.

 

We had it done.

 

we had it done at 12 months.

No fun, but we live in an older home so thought it was worth it.

we came back A-okay!

 

we had it done and was told that it is "recommended" for the one year visit (as of last year) but is not "required."

 

never had it done...pedi never mentioned it...quite honestly unless they're licking the walls I don't see the need to subject them to that form of torture...

 

We live in Iowa and the amt. of kids with lead poisoning is high, so they check at 1 yr., 18 mo. and I think 2. And yest they also do a blood count then.

 

My boys have all had their hematocrit tested at the 12 month visit. Our ped doesn't test for lead unless there are risks of exposure (like living in an older house).

ETA: It was just a finger prick, no needles involved.

 

QUOTE(AmynTony @ Aug 21 2008, 09:50 AM) [snapback]940534[/snapback]
never had it done...pedi never mentioned it...quite honestly unless they're licking the walls I don't see the need to subject them to that form of torture...


The dust from lead is released every time you hammer a nail into the wall (for example) and as paint chips from around windows and baseboards. It is a real problem for those of us who live in older homes and warrants having our children tested to confirm that they are living in a safe environment.

My girls received the perscription for the bloodwork at their 15 month visit last week. I am trying to get one other test done in conjunction so I am awaiting having the full workup before I take them to the lab.

 

My kids had their levels done at 1yr and 2yrs old.

 

I do remember bloodwork, but honestly, can't remember exactly when it was.

 

My ped did blood counts on both my older boys at a year. But I'm having a hard time getting the fam. Dr just to get the twins done. UGH. We don't have the need for lead levels, because we have a new home. But the twins are FTT so the blood count could be helpful.

 

We had it done at the one year visit. I wasn't so much worried about our house as I was about possibly them being exposed to it through a toy....especially with all the recent recalls about the stuff made in China. They still put everything in their mouths!

 

We live in a brand new home so I really am not worried about lead exposure. I think I'm going to decline the testing. I don't want them getting stuck unless it's really necessary.

 

I live in MA and our pedi ordered lead levels at 1 year. I didn't know that was routine procedure but I'm glad it was done because the girls are fond of peeling paint off the moldings and eating it. :blink: New paint but old house.