Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
Volume 45, Issue 9, 2009, Pages 509-513

The epidemiology of health conditions of newly arrived refugee children: A review of patients attending a specialist health clinic in Sydney (Article)

Sheikh M.* , Pal A. , Wang S. , MacIntyre C.R. , Wood N.J. , Isaacs D. , Gunasekera H. , Raman S. , Hale K. , Howell A.
  • a Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
  • b School of Medical Science, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
  • c Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • d School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
  • e Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
  • f Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
  • g Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
  • h Sydney South West Area Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • i Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia
  • j Children's Hospital, Westmead, University of New South Wales, Locked Bag 4001, Sydney, NSW 2170, Australia

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of common diseases in newly arrived refugee children, resettled in Sydney, by region of birth. To identify health needs of refugee children in Australia. Methods: We prospectively screened for common diseases in refugee children attending a specialist paediatric refugee clinic, the Children's Hospital, Westmead, between May 2005 and December 2006. Screening tests included full blood count, Mantoux, vitamin D level, hepatitis B serology, syphilis serology, Schistosomiasis serology and malarial antigens. Results: There were 239 patients, the majority (75%) from Africa, with 127 girls and 112 boys. Thirty-six percent were 0-7 years old, 45% were 8-12 years old and 19% were 13-17 years old. Of those tested, 16% had Schistosomiasis, 5% had malaria and 4% were hepatitis B carriers. Of 216 children who had Mantoux tests, 33% were ≥10 mm and 24% were ≥15 mm, including four children with active disease (2 lymphadenitis, 1 pulmonary and 1 gastric). Vitamin D deficiency was the most common diagnosis: 61% had serum 25(OH)D3 <50 nmol/L. Anaemia was present in 15%. Disease prevalence was higher in children from Africa than Asia or the Middle East, and most of the children were asymptomatic. Given that we have only seen about 10% of the refugee children resettled in New South Wales, our results may not be generalisable to all refugees. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that screening refugee children for common treatable conditions, even if they are asymptomatic, is paramount. In addition to infectious diseases screening, nutritional deficiencies should routinely be screened for. © 2009 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Author Keywords

Paediatric Refugees Public health Epidemiology Health assessment

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment sickle cell anemia antigen refugee Australia lymphadenitis Prospective Studies human sex difference Refugees Asia Middle East Vitamin D controlled study nutritional disorder priority journal health status Malaria stomach disease screening school child Humans anemia Adolescent male blood cell count female preschool child tuberculosis Infant Child, Preschool BCG vaccination Africa newborn Child Welfare Ambulatory Care Facilities New South Wales prevalence vitamin D deficiency Article major clinical study tuberculin test schistosomiasis isoniazid serology physician neutropenia lung disease infection health center hepatitis B body mass Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70349122963&doi=10.1111%2fj.1440-1754.2009.01550.x&partnerID=40&md5=7620b02e48d822dc30d594374f71e7b7
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2009.01550.x
ISSN: 10344810
Cited by: 32
Original Language: English