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Baauw A, Kist-van Holthe J, Slattery B, Heymans M, Chinapaw M, van Goudoever H. Health needs of refugee children identified on arrival in reception countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Paediatr Open 2019; 3:e000516. [PMID: 31646192 PMCID: PMC6782036 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The worldwide number of refugees has considerably increased due to ongoing wars, national instability, political persecution and food insecurity. In Europe, about one-third of all refugees are children, an increasing number of which are travelling alone. There are often no systematic medical health assessments for these refugee children on entry in reception countries despite the fact that they are recognised as an at-risk population due to increased burden of physical and mental health conditions. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature to describe the health status of refugee children on entering reception countries. METHODS A systematic search of published literature was conducted using the terms refugee, immigrant or migrant, medical or health, and screening. RESULTS Of the 3487 potentially relevant papers, 53 population-based studies were included in this review. This systematic review showed that refugee children exhibit high estimated prevalence rates for anaemia (14%), haemoglobinopathies (4%), chronic hepatitis B (3%), latent tuberculosis infection (11%) and vitamin D deficiency (45%) on entry in reception countries. Approximately one-third of refugee children had intestinal infection. Nutritional problems ranged from wasting and stunting to obesity. CONCLUSIONS Refugee children entering reception countries should receive comprehensive health assessments based on the outcomes of this systematic review, national budgets, cost-effectiveness and personal factors of the refugees. The health assessment should be tailored to individual child health needs depending on preflight, flight and postarrival conditions.A paradigm shift that places focus on child health and development will help this vulnerable group of children integrate into their new environments. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER 122561.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albertine Baauw
- Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joana Kist-van Holthe
- Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bridget Slattery
- Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Heymans
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mai Chinapaw
- Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Linton JM, Green A, Chilton LA, Duffee JH, Dilley KJ, Gutierrez JR, Keane VA, Krugman SD, McKelvey CD, Nelson JL. Providing Care for Children in Immigrant Families. Pediatrics 2019; 144:peds.2019-2077. [PMID: 31427460 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Children in immigrant families (CIF), who represent 1 in 4 children in the United States, represent a growing and ever more diverse US demographic that pediatric medical providers nationwide will increasingly encounter in clinical care. Immigrant children are those born outside the United States to non-US citizen parents, and CIF are defined as those who are either foreign born or have at least 1 parent who is foreign born. Some families immigrate for economic or educational reasons, and others come fleeing persecution and seeking safe haven. Some US-born children with a foreign-born parent may share vulnerabilities with children who themselves are foreign born, particularly regarding access to care and other social determinants of health. Therefore, the larger umbrella term of CIF is used in this statement. CIF, like all children, have diverse experiences that interact with their biopsychosocial development. CIF may face inequities that can threaten their health and well-being, and CIF also offer strengths and embody resilience that can surpass challenges experienced before and during integration. This policy statement describes the evolving population of CIF in the United States, briefly introduces core competencies to enhance care within a framework of cultural humility and safety, and discusses barriers and opportunities at the practice and systems levels. Practice-level recommendations describe how pediatricians can promote health equity for CIF through careful attention to core competencies in clinical care, thoughtful community engagement, and system-level support. Advocacy and policy recommendations offer ways pediatricians can advocate for policies that promote health equity for CIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M. Linton
- Departments of Pediatrics and Public Health, School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; and
| | - Andrea Green
- Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
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Beukeboom C, Arya N. Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies Among Populations of Newly Arriving Government Assisted Refugee Children to Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. J Immigr Minor Health 2019; 20:1317-1323. [PMID: 29611017 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0730-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the variation among ethnic populations in prevalence of anemia, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies among refugee children. A retrospective chart review of 388 government assisted refugee children ≤ 16 years of age, seen at the Refugee Health Clinic in Kitchener, Canada from January 2009 to December 2014 was conducted. Vitamin D levels were only collected until December 1st 2010 (116 children). 15.7% were anemic (25% < 5 years, 8.7% 5-11 years, and 18.3% 12-16 years old) with Somali children having the lowest hemoglobin levels compared to those from Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar. 53.5% were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L), seen most commonly in Iraqis and Afghans. 11.2% had vitamin B12 levels < 150 pmol/L. Providers' knowledge of prevalence of nutritional deficiencies related to region of origin, can guide appropriate screening and treatment options to promote longer term cognitive, physical and developmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Beukeboom
- School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. .,, London, ON, Canada.
| | - Neil Arya
- Centre for Family Medicine Refugee Health Clinic, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Family Medicine McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Family Medicine Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Wadia U, Soon W, Chivers P, Thambiran A, Burgner D, Cherian S, Siafarikas A. Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Daily Versus Depot Vitamin D3 Therapy in 0-16-Year-Old Newly Settled Refugees in Western Australia Over a Period of 40 Weeks. Nutrients 2018. [PMID: 29533998 PMCID: PMC5872766 DOI: 10.3390/nu10030348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in newly settled refugees in Western Australia (WA). If adherence to daily vitamin D therapy is problematic, depot therapy is a therapeutic alternative. The aim of this study was to compare daily versus depot treatment and factors influencing the therapeutic outcome. Newly settled refugees (n = 151) with 25(OH)D levels less than 78 nmol/L were randomised to receive daily or depot vitamin D therapy with eight weekly interval follow up to 40 weeks. Biochemical and clinical parameters were collected at each visit. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) examined the longitudinal changes over time controlling for confounders including age, gender, treatment arm, season, country of refuge/origin and sun exposure score. Participants were aged 5.5 months to 16.0 years (75 males, 83 females). Both treatment groups achieved vitamin D sufficiency. The daily treatment group had significantly higher 25(OH)D levels at each visit post baseline and a higher proportion of participants with levels above 50 nmol/L at all time points. Time, treatment group, calcium and sun exposure score were significant predictors of 25(OH)D serum levels. Depot vitamin D therapy is an alternative to daily treatment in this at-risk group of children and adolescents in whom treatment adherence is problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ushma Wadia
- Department of Rheumatology and Metabolic Medicine, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
| | - Wayne Soon
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
| | - Paola Chivers
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.
- School of Medical and Health Sciences & Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
- Western Australian Bone Research Collaboration, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
| | - Aesen Thambiran
- Humanitarian Entrant Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
| | - David Burgner
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia.
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Sarah Cherian
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
- Refugee Health Service, Department of Paediatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
| | - Aris Siafarikas
- Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.
- School of Medical and Health Sciences & Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA 6027, Australia.
- Western Australian Bone Research Collaboration, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, WA 6008, Australia.
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Taseen K, Beaulieu G. Vitamin D levels and influencing predictors in refugee children in Sherbrooke (Quebec), Canada. Paediatr Child Health 2017; 22:307-311. [PMID: 29479242 PMCID: PMC5804816 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxx092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Suboptimal vitamin D levels and associated complications are on the rise. Vulnerable populations, like refugee children, are further at risk. Studies on the vitamin D levels in refugee children are limited. The primary objective of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to determine the level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH)D) in the paediatric refugee population residing in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The secondary objective was to determine variables predicting vitamin D levels. METHODS Refugees under the age of 19 years arriving in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, evaluated by the refugee clinic between March 2013 and April 2014, were included in the study. Vitamin D levels upon arrival and variables including age, sex, body mass index, season of arrival and season of test, ethnicity, previous country of residence and duration of stay in Canada from time of arrival were recorded. The protocol was approved by the scientific and ethics board of respective institutions. RESULTS A total of 138 subjects were included in the study from the Middle East, Central Asia and South East Asia, Africa and South America. The mean 25-(OH)D serum value was 55 nmol/L (insufficient). Fourteen per cent of subjects were vitamin D deficient and 64% were vitamin D insufficient as per Canadian Paediatric Society threshold guidelines. Gender (P=0.022), age (P<0.001), latitude (P<0.001) and season of testing (P=0.022) predict vitamin D status. CONCLUSIONS This study concluded that refugee children have insufficient vitamin D levels. Gender, age, latitude and season of testing have an impact in predicting vitamin D status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijah Taseen
- Department of Pediatrics, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec
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Yun K, Matheson J, Payton C, Scott KC, Stone BL, Song L, Stauffer WM, Urban K, Young J, Mamo B. Health Profiles of Newly Arrived Refugee Children in the United States, 2006-2012. Am J Public Health 2015; 106:128-35. [PMID: 26562126 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We conducted a large-scale study of newly arrived refugee children in the United States with data from 2006 to 2012 domestic medical examinations in 4 sites: Colorado; Minnesota; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Washington State. METHODS Blood lead level, anemia, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, tuberculosis infection or disease, and Strongyloides seropositivity data were available for 8148 refugee children (aged < 19 years) from Bhutan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Somalia. RESULTS We identified distinct health profiles for each country of origin, as well as for Burmese children who arrived in the United States from Thailand compared with Burmese children who arrived from Malaysia. Hepatitis B was more prevalent among male children than female children and among children aged 5 years and older. The odds of HBV, tuberculosis, and Strongyloides decreased over the study period. CONCLUSIONS Medical screening remains an important part of health care for newly arrived refugee children in the United States, and disease risk varies by population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Yun
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Jasmine Matheson
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Colleen Payton
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Kevin C Scott
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Barbara L Stone
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Lihai Song
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - William M Stauffer
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Kailey Urban
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Janine Young
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
| | - Blain Mamo
- Katherine Yun is with PolicyLab, Division of General Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Jasmine Matheson is with Refugee Health Program, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline. Colleen Payton and Kevin C. Scott are with Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. Barbara L. Stone is with Refugee Health Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Denver. Lihai Song is with Healthcare Analytics Unit, Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, and Policylab, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Kailey Urban and Blain Mamo are with Refugee Health Program, Minnesota Department of Health, Saint Paul. Janine Young is with General Pediatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals, Denver, CO. William M. Stauffer is with Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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