JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Volume 249, Issue 23, 1983, Pages 3200-3203

Clinical Findings in Southeast Asian Refugees: Child Development and Public Health Concerns (Article)

Barry M.* , Craft J. , Coleman D. , Coulter H.O. , Horwitz R.
  • a Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., United States
  • b Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., United States
  • c Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., United States
  • d Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., United States
  • e Section of General Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., United States

Abstract

Since 1979, we have provided comprehensive medical care to a group of 142 Southeast Asian refugees who relocated in Connecticut. In this group, we identified clinically important issues in child development. As plotted on standard growth curves, 47% of refugee children were below the fifth percentile in height for age and 22% were below the fifth percentile in weight for height. Although these children are potentially at increased risk for nutrition-related health problems, our clinical assessment did not confirm malnutrition. We also confirm a high prevalence of intestinal parasitism (59%), positive tuberculin test results (40%), and hepatitis B antigenemia (16%), as observed previously by health authorities. We conclude that anthropometry should not replace a clinical nutritional assessment of refugee children. © 1983, American Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

human Refugees middle aged Connecticut parasitism Aged Humans Adolescent male female tuberculosis Infant Child, Preschool Health Status Indicators diagnosis adult Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic ethnic or racial aspects malnutrition nervous system hepatitis B Child Development Asia, Southeastern public health Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84944658691&doi=10.1001%2fjama.1983.03330470040028&partnerID=40&md5=36d4909d0f8d2abee6eb9e12de729ec8
DOI: 10.1001/jama.1983.03330470040028
ISSN: 00987484
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English