Childhood is a time of rapid growth and development, accompanied by changes in organ system functioning, metabolic capabilities, physical size, and behavior that can dramatically modify potential illness caused by a toxicant.
Pediatricians and other child health care providers need to develop the expertise necessary to take an environmental history, deliver anticipatory guidance, and conduct appropriate risk-based laboratory tests for environmental illnesses.
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units are available for consultation and referral. Pediatricians and other child heatlh care providers should be aware of this resource.
Robert Amler, MD, MS (ATSDR); Sherlita Amler, MD, MS (ATSDR); Sophie J. Balk, MD (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital at Montefiore); Robert K. McLellan, MD, MPH (American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
Guest Editor
Jonathan Borak, MD (American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine)
This monograph is one in a series of self-instructional publications designed to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to aid in the evaluation of potentially exposed patients. See the Accreditation section for more information about continuing medical education credits, continuing nursing education units, continuing education units, and continuing health education specialist credits.
The state of knowledge regarding the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In this monograph, ATSDR has made diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, but makes no claim that the document comprehensively addresses all possible situations related pediatrics and environmental health. This monograph is intended as a resource for pediatricians and other child health care providers in assessing the condition and managing the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances. It is not, however, a substitute for the professional judgment of a health care provider. The document must be interpreted in light of specific information regarding the patient and in conjunction with other sources of authority.
Use of trade names and commercial sources is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.