European Journal of Pediatrics
Volume 178, Issue 9, 2019, Pages 1449-1467

Medical care for migrant children in Europe: a practical recommendation for first and follow-up appointments (Article)

Schrier L. , Wyder C. , del Torso S. , Stiris T. , von Both U. , Brandenberger J. , Ritz N.*
  • a Willem Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
  • b Kinderaerzte KurWerk, Poststrasse 9, Burgdorf, 3400, Switzerland, Department of Paediatrics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • c Studio Pediatrico, Vecellio 33, USLSS6, Padova, Italy
  • d Department of Neonatology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  • e Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. von Hauner Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany, German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Munich, Germany, Paediatric Infection and Immunity, Section of Paediatric, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  • f Migrant Health Service, University Children’s Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 33, Basel, 4056, Switzerland
  • g Migrant Health Service, University Children’s Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 33, Basel, 4056, Switzerland, Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology Unit, University Children’s Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia, Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

Abstract

Between 2015 and 2017, an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 children were seeking asylum each year in EU/EEA countries. As access to high-quality health care is important, we collected and compared current recommendations across Europe for a consensus recommendation on medical care for migrant (asylum-seeking and refugee) children. Existing recommendations were collected from published literature and identified through national representatives from paediatric societies of 31 EU/EEA countries through the European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP). Recommendations were systematically extracted and collected in a database. Those mentioned in at least one recommendation were evaluated for inclusion, and evidence on recommendations was specifically identified in literature searches focused on recent evidence from Europe. For eight EU/EEA countries, a national recommendation was identified. Growth and development, vision and hearing impairment, skin and dental problems, immunisations, anaemia, micronutrient deficiency, helminths, hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus, malaria, schistosomiasis, syphilis, tuberculosis, mental health disorder and sexual health were most frequently mentioned and therefore selected for inclusion in the recommendation. Conclusion: The current document includes general recommendations on ethical standards, use of interpreters and specific recommendations for prevention or early detection of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It may serve as a tool to ensure the fundamental right that migrant children in Europe receive a comprehensive, patient-centred health care. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Check-up Immigrant Asylum-seeking children Vaccination tuberculosis Immunisation health care Refugee unaccompanied minor

Index Keywords

tooth disease visual impairment refugee Human immunodeficiency virus infection Europe follow up mental health skin disease human priority journal Malaria asylum seeker migrant hearing impairment anemia consensus tuberculosis Syphilis sexual health Article nutritional deficiency schistosomiasis helminthiasis hepatitis B immunization medical care hepatitis C Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85068110338&doi=10.1007%2fs00431-019-03405-9&partnerID=40&md5=95dceeb0df59918e32ed645f956e4cf1
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-019-03405-9
ISSN: 03406199
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English