Screening check
Does my child need a blood lead test?
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified, and most children with lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms. Check what CDC guidance says about testing for your child.
About your child
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What you will see
What CDC guidance says about a blood lead test for your child.
Educational only, not medical advice. This is not a lead test. Only a blood test shows whether your child has been exposed.
Source
CDC, Testing for Lead Poisoning in Children (reviewed March 2026) and clinical guidance on childhood lead testing (reviewed August 2025).
Validated in
Children up to 6 years (72 months). Medicaid rules apply to children enrolled in Medicaid.
Limits
It is not a lead test and cannot tell whether your child has lead in their blood. State and local health departments may have their own testing rules.
Who should get tested
| Who | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Children enrolled in Medicaid | Required test at 12 and 24 months, or at 24 to 72 months if never tested (CDC) |
| Children at risk for lead exposure | Should be tested (CDC) |
| Other children | Testing focused on high-risk neighborhoods and children; local health departments set screening plans (CDC) |
The US Preventive Services Task Force no longer updates its own lead screening recommendation, so this check follows CDC guidance. Parents should talk to their child's healthcare provider about whether a test is needed. Healthcare providers and most local health departments can test for lead in the blood (CDC).
Why it matters
No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood are associated with developmental delays, difficulty learning and behavioral issues (CDC). Most children with any lead in their blood have no obvious immediate symptoms, and a blood lead test is the best way to find out whether a child has been exposed (CDC) (CDC).
What the result means
The CDC blood lead reference value is 3.5 µg/dL. It identifies children with more lead in their blood than most children, based on the highest 2.5% of blood lead levels in US children aged 1 to 5 (CDC). A finger- or heel-prick (capillary) test gives fast results; a blood draw from a vein takes longer but is more reliable. A capillary result at or above the reference value should be confirmed with a venous sample (CDC) (CDC).
Common questions
Where does lead come from?
Common sources include chipping or peeling paint in homes or buildings built before 1978, water from lead pipes, and soil near airports, highways or factories. Many children swallow lead dust by putting toys, other objects or dirt in their mouths (CDC).
Why does the house's age matter?
Living in or spending time in a house or building built before 1978 is one of the things that make lead exposure more likely (CDC).
My child seems fine. Do they still need a test?
Possibly. Most children with lead in their blood have no obvious immediate symptoms, so looking well does not rule it out (CDC).
Also see the scoliosis screening check, the iron deficiency in pregnancy check and all screening tests by age.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Testing for Lead Poisoning in Children (reviewed March 2026). www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/testing/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: Clinical Guidance (reviewed August 2025). www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention (reviewed August 2025). www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/about/index.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Blood Lead Reference Value. www.cdc.gov/lead-prevention/php/data/blood-lead-surveillance.html
Written and maintained by the uncovermyrisk.com editorial team. We do not have a medical reviewer; every claim links to its primary source above. Last reviewed: 2026-10-30. Spotted an error? See About.