Standard Surveillance Definitions and Classifications
CDC uses the following surveillance definitions for all states:- Test: Any blood lead level sample (BLL) drawn (capillary, venous or unknown sample type) on a child that produces a quantifiable result and is analyzed by a CLIA-certified facility or an approved portable device. A blood lead test may be collected for screening, confirmation or follow-up.
- Screening test: A blood lead test for a child age <72 months who previously did not have a confirmed elevated BLL (NOTE: A child may be screened in multiple years or even multiple times within a given year, but would be counted only once for each year).
- Confirmed elevated BLL (EBLL): A child with one venous blood specimen ≥10 μg/dL, or any combination of two capillary and/or unknown blood specimens ≥10 μg/dL drawn within 12 weeks of each other.
- Case Rate: the number of children less than 72 months old with confirmed elevated blood lead level (EBLL) ≥10 µg/dL divided by the number of children less than 72 months old tested for a blood lead level (BLL)
- Screening Rate: the number of children less than 72 months old tested for a BLL divided by total number of children less than 72 months old, based on 2000 U.S. Census data
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