Monatsschrift fur Kinderheilkunde
Volume 153, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 22-28

Inborn metabolic diseases. Special aspects of the care of children from immigrant families [Angeborene stoffwechselerkrankungen. Besonderheiten in der betreuung von kindern aus migrantenfamilien] (Review)

Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S.* , Herle M. , Nennstiel U. , Wendel U. , Burgard P. , Plecko B. , Ipsiroglu O.S.
  • a Univ. Klin. F. Kinder- J., Wien, Austria, Division of Biochemical Diseases, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Division of Biochemical Diseases, British Columbia Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada
  • b Univ. Klin. F. Kinder- J., Wien, Austria
  • c Bayerisches Landesamt F. G., Oberschleißheim, Germany
  • d Zentrum F. Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • e Abt. Stoffwechsel and Endokrinologie, Universitatskinderklinik Poliklin., Heidelberg, Germany
  • f Univ. Klin. F. Kinder- J., Medizinische Universität, Graz, Austria
  • g Univ. Klin. F. Kinder- J., Wien, Austria, Division of Biochemical Diseases, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Abstract

A large percentage (20-50%) of the patients in Austria and Germany who have metabolic diseases come from Turkish immigrant families. The risk of suffering from a metabolic disease detected by the extended newborn screening program, is significantly higher in children from Turkish families than in those from native German and Austrian families. One reason for this is the tradition of consanguineous marriages (marriages between cousins) in this population. Follow-up data of children with phenylketonuria show that dietary compliance is poorer among Turkish children than among Austrian children. Investigations of the determinants of compliance revealed differences between Turkish and Austrian families in their knowledge about the disease and in their coping strategies, their belief in fate, and their dependence on medical personnel. Knowledge of the special aspects of dealing with patients from foreign cultures, the involvement of professional interpreters in consultations with patients and the active recruitment of immigrants to self-help groups are essential steps that will have to be taken for medical care to be improved in this population.

Author Keywords

Genetics Metabolic diseases Consanguineous marriage Epidemiology

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology Germany immigrant health care personnel human consanguineous marriage Turkey (republic) coping behavior diet newborn screening Austria health program family consultation inborn error of metabolism risk factor Review population research medical profession phenylketonuria patient compliance medical care child care Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-13644250774&doi=10.1007%2fs00112-004-1072-3&partnerID=40&md5=9c90a53a4e5401d02c50c2be8664d853
DOI: 10.1007/s00112-004-1072-3
ISSN: 00269298
Cited by: 4
Original Language: German