Childhood Lead

Why Some Children May Need to Be Retested

Children whose blood lead levels were screened between May 16, 2011 and May 17, 2017 may need to have those levels retested.

False Readings from Certain Testing Equipment

Lead testing analyzers made by a company called Magellan Diagnostics under the brand name LeadCare may have given falsely low lead readings on venous (taken from a vein) blood samples. Because of this, the FDA and CDC have recommended that children whose venous blood was tested for lead in a Magellan Diagnostics LeadCare analyzer during the six year period from May 16, 2011 to May 17, 2017 get their blood retested for lead.

Parents and guardians of children who may have been affected by the false readings should receive a notification via phone or mail from their testing facility or health care provider.

View the Frequently Asked Questions document on this topic for more information.

Last Reviewed: 6/8/2017