Viajeros atendidos en un centro de vacunación internacional. ¿Está aumentando el riesgo en el viajero pediátrico? / Travelers attending an international vaccine center. Is the risk for the pediatric traveler increasing?

Introducción: Existe la percepción de que están aumentando los viajeros pediátricos, fundamentalmente a expensas del grupo de viajeros conocidos como visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Las características demográficas y de los viajes en este grupo de viajeros confieren un mayor riesgo y condicionan una mayor complejidad en las recomendaciones vacunales y profilácticas. Objetivo: Analizar la evolución en el tiempo de los diferentes grupos de viajeros pediátricos. Describir las características demográficas y del viaje en la población pediátrica y analizar si los VFR difieren de los no VFR en cuanto a los factores que puedan conferir un mayor riesgo. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo transversal de las características de los niños viajeros atendidos en la Unidad de Vacunación Internacional del Hospital Universitario Vall d’Hebron entre julio de 2002 y febrero de 2009. Resultados: Se atendieron 692 niños, con una edad media de 8 años (DE 5,4). Se observó un aumento en el número de viajeros pediátricos y una tendencia al incremento de niños VFR en los primeros años que posteriormente se mantuvo estable. En los viajeros VFR la edad media fue menor, confirmándose una menor previsión antes del viaje y una mayor duración del mismo en este grupo de viajeros. Se actualizó el calendario vacunal al 29,2% y se recomendó profilaxis antipalúdica al 52% de los viajeros. Conclusión: A pesar del aumento progresivo de viajes internacionales y del aumento inicial de los viajeros VFR, el porcentaje de este grupo de viajeros se mantuvo estable en los últimos años. La escasa percepción del riesgo entre la población inmigrante señala la necesidad de promover una adecuada consulta previa al viaje en este colectivo (AU)

Introduction: There is a perception that the number of pediatric travelers is increasing, mainly due to the so-called visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) group. Both the demographic and trips characteristics in this group may lead to an increased risk and a greater complexity in vaccinations and other preventive recommendations. Objective: To analyze the outcomes of different groups of pediatric travelers. To describe the demographic and travel characteristics within the pediatric population, and to analyze whether the VFRs differ from non-VFRs with regards to the factors that may contribute to a greater risk. Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study of the characteristics of pediatric travelers treated in the International Pre-travel Consultation Unit of the University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, from July 2002 to January 2009. Results: Of the 692 children analyzed, with a mean age of 8 years (SD 5.4), an increase in the overall number of travelers was identified, along with an initial increase in the number of VFR children in the early years of the study, although later on, the numbers of this group stabilized. The mean age of the VFR travelers was also found to be lower. A lack of planning prior to the start of the travel was also noted in the VFRs group, as well as longer trip durations. A routine vaccine was administered to 29.2% of children, and malaria prophylaxis was recommended for 52% of travelers. Conclusion: Despite the progressive increase in international travel and the initial increase in VFR travelers, the percentage of this group has remained stable in recent years. However, the perception of a low risk among the immigrant population suggests the need to encourage an adequate pre-travel consultation within this group (AU)

[Travelers attending an international vaccine center. Is the risk for the pediatric traveler increasing?]. / Viajeros atendidos en un centro de vacunación internacional. ¿Está aumentando el riesgo en el viajero pediátrico?

INTRODUCTION: There is a perception that the number of pediatric travelers is increasing, mainly due to the so-called visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) group. Both the demographic and trips characteristics in this group may lead to an increased risk and a greater complexity in vaccinations and other preventive recommendations. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of different groups of pediatric travelers. To describe the demographic and travel characteristics within the pediatric population, and to analyze whether the VFRs differ from non-VFRs with regards to the factors that may contribute to a greater risk. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional descriptive study of the characteristics of pediatric travelers treated in the International Pre-travel Consultation Unit of the University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, from July 2002 to January 2009. RESULTS: Of the 692 children analyzed, with a mean age of 8 years (SD 5.4), an increase in the overall number of travelers was identified, along with an initial increase in the number of VFR children in the early years of the study, although later on, the numbers of this group stabilized. The mean age of the VFR travelers was also found to be lower. A lack of planning prior to the start of the travel was also noted in the VFRs group, as well as longer trip durations. A routine vaccine was administered to 29.2% of children, and malaria prophylaxis was recommended for 52% of travelers. CONCLUSION: Despite the progressive increase in international travel and the initial increase in VFR travelers, the percentage of this group has remained stable in recent years. However, the perception of a low risk among the immigrant population suggests the need to encourage an adequate pre-travel consultation within this group.