Version August 2025
| Venous blood lead level (BLL; µg/dL) | Early follow-up (first 2-4 tests after identification or until BLL begins to decline) | Later follow-up (after BLL begins to decline) |
| <10 | According to local lead screening guidelines for children | According to local lead screening guidelines for children |
| 10-14 | 3 monthsΔ | Within 6-9 months |
| 15-19 | 1-3 monthsΔ | Within 3-6 months |
| 20-24 | 1-3 monthsΔ | Within 1-3 months |
| 25-44 | 2 weeks-1 month◊ | Within 1 month |
| ≥45 | Within 24 hours◊ | As directed by clinician managing chelation treatment |
BLL: blood lead level.
* After 6 months of age, recommendations from Managing Elevated Blood Lead Levels Among Young Children: Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2002) should be followed.
¶ If infants are breastfeeding, also follow recommendations as discussed in the UpToDate topic on the management of childhood lead poisoning, section on 'Breastfeeding'.
Δ Some case managers or primary care providers may choose to repeat blood lead tests on all new patients within a month to ensure that their BLL levels are not rising more quickly than anticipated. Seasonal variation of BLLs exists and may be more apparent in colder climate areas. Greater exposure in the summer months may necessitate more frequent follow-ups.
◊ Consultation with a clinician experienced in the management of children with BLLs in this range is strongly advised.