Version July 2025
| Venous* blood lead level (BLL; microgram/dL) | Perform follow-up test(s)¶ |
| <5 | None (no follow-up testing is indicated). |
| 5 to 14 | Within 1 month. Obtain a maternal BLLΔ or cord BLL at delivery. |
| 15 to 24 | Within 1 month and then every 2 to 3 months. Obtain a maternal BLLΔ or cord BLL at delivery. More frequent testing may be indicated based on risk factor history. |
| 25 to 44 | Within 1 to 4 weeks and then every month. Obtain a maternal BLLΔ or cord BLL at delivery. |
| ≥45 | Within 24 hours and then at frequent intervals depending on clinical interventions and trend in BLLs. Consultation with a clinician experienced in the management of pregnant women with BLLs in this range is strongly advised. Obtain a maternal BLL or cord BLL at delivery. |
* Venous blood sample is recommended for maternal blood lead testing.
¶ The higher the blood lead level on the screening test, the more urgent the need for confirmatory testing.
Δ If possible, obtain a maternal blood lead level before delivery because blood lead levels tend to increase over the course of pregnancy.
Reproduced from: Ettinger AS, Gurthrie Wengrovitz A (Eds). Guidelines for the identification and management of lead exposure in pregnant and lactating women. US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA 2010. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/147837 (Accessed on March 24, 2021).
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