Infections and nutritional status of internationally adopted children in France

Abstract

Aim In the context of global changes in the epidemiology of internationally adopted children (IACs), the prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional impairment has not been recently reviewed. Moreover, in France, these characteristics of the children according to their continents of origin and preadoption special needs (SN) status have been incompletely explored. Methods Demographic, infectious data and anthropometric of all the newly arrived IACs seen in a specialised clinic for international adoptees in Paris, France, between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Three hundred and fifty IACs [mean age: 3.4 years (±2.7), 204 male] from 39 countries were included; 55% had SN. Ninety‐nine patients had at least one infection, 42% being classified as ‘serious’ (chronic viral infection, tuberculosis or malaria). Chronic viral infection was diagnosed in 26 (7%) patients (HIV: 16 cases, HBV: 5, HCV: 4) and affected especially Asian children (P < .001). The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and microcephaly was, respectively, 25%, 22%, 15% and 8%. Stunting was more frequent in children from Eastern Europe (P = .02), while SN children were more often microcephalic or underweight (respectively P = .03 and .02). Conclusion The prevalence of serious infections and nutritional impairment remains high in IACs and requires early detection and careful follow‐up.

Trends in body size and prevalence of underweight and overweight in 7–9 year old children from eastern Poland between 2006 and 2021

“…It is an important clinical and public health problem among children and adolescents associated with adverse health outcomes at all stages of human life and may reflect food poverty (Ieiri et al 2021), unhealthy eating habits (Rawal et al 2021), or an increased risk of many diseases. Underweight children and adolescents are more likely to suffer from infectious diseases (Goutines et al 2021), have reduced cognitive functions (Suryawan et al 2021), mental disorders (Donkor et al 2021;Zeiler et al 2021) and have low scores your health (Linardon et al 2021).…”

Parasitic Infections in Internationally Adopted Children: A Twelve-Year Retrospective Study

“…In other observational studies, the rates of recovery of parasites ranged from 9% to over 70% [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The prevalence was similar in children with and without gastrointestinal symptoms and with and without malnutrition. In most studies, giardiasis was the most commonly identified parasitic infection, with as many as 19 percent of children infected [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Helminthic infections are less common (<3 percent), with Hymenolepis species , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Trichuris trichiura most often reported.…”

International Adoption of Children with Special Needs in Spain

“…There is a consensus that internationally adopted children should be evaluated by pediatricians with experience in the eld. Most protocols agree on the importance of a thorough medical history upon arrival, an exhaustive physical examination, and complementary tests, followed by completion of the immunization schedule 10,11 . In children with SN, the particular conditions of each individual case should be considered, and patients should be referred to specialists for proper multidisciplinary management 2, .…”