Background: Recently the United States has experienced an increase in refugees. Pediatric refugees are at risk for health and nutrition problems. Literature on longitudinal change in nutritional status of resettled pediatric refugees is scant.
Objective: The present study reports the health and nutritional status of pediatric refugees and tracks changes in nutritional status.
Methods: Data were extracted retrospectively from the records of a community health center in Buffalo, NY. Two cohorts of refugees (0-18 years) were selected. Cohort A was followed during 5 years and consisted of 225 subjects whose initial visit occurred between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009. The 199 subjects in cohort B had an initial visit between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 and were followed for 1 year. Cohort B was chosen because vitamin levels were available only for this group. Descriptive and anthropometric data, infectious disease status, and initial vitamin and hemoglobin levels were recorded. Height-for-age (HFA) z scores and body mass index (BMI) z scores were computed. Longitudinal changes were analyzed.
Results: The cohorts A and B differed in country of origin and infectious disease burden. On arrival, both cohorts exhibited HFA z scores reflecting short stature. BMI z scores were normal. HFA and BMI z scores increased during 5 years and 1 year for cohorts A and B, respectively. Anemia, vitamin D deficiency, and lead toxicity were identified.
Conclusions: Resettled pediatric refugees were short. Some were stunted. Catch-up growth, however, occurred. There were increases in HFA and BMI z scores. Vitamin D deficiency, anemia, and lead toxicity were documented.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000001671 | DOI Listing |
BMC Pediatr
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Izmir Katip Celebi University, Izmir, Turkey.
Background: Overweight and obesity are global issues, especially among women of childbearing age, linked to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. These risks vary by age, race, and ethnicity, with increasing rates among immigrant and minority women. This study compares overweight and obesity rates, pregnancy weight gain, and neonatal outcomes in Turkish and Syrian immigrant/refugee women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIJTLD Open
January 2025
Department of Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Surveillance, National Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
Background: The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation triggered a refugee crisis, affecting the multidrug-/rifampicin-resistant TB (MDR/RR-TB) prevalence in neighbouring countries. This study examines the epidemiological trends and characteristics of MDR/RR-TB patients in Poland, focusing on the relative contribution of Ukrainian refugees.
Methods: Data from the Polish National Tuberculosis Registry and EPIC Project database, covering MDR/RR-TB cases reported between 2010 and Q1 2024, were analysed.
Health Expect
February 2025
Community Paediatrics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Background And Objective: Migrant and refugee women, families, and their children can experience significant language, cultural, and psychosocial barriers to engage with child and family services. Integrated child and family health Hubs are increasingly promoted as a potential solution to address access barriers; however, there is scant literature on how to best implement them with migrant and refugee populations. Our aim was to explore with service providers and consumers the barriers, enablers, and experiences with Hubs and the resulting building blocks required for acceptable Hub implementation for migrant and refugee families.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Serv Insights
January 2025
CRIMEDIM - Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy.
Background: Afghan refugees in Pakistan, particularly in Quetta, Balochistan, encounter formidable barriers in accessing maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services. These challenges have been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and entrenched systemic health inequities.
Methods: This qualitative study, conducted from February to April 2023, aimed to assess the obstacles within health systems and community environments that hinder MNCH service access among Afghan refugees.
Health Hum Rights
December 2024
Assistant professor of pediatrics and director of the Program for Immigrant and Refugee Child Health at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas, United States.
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