Infections in Asymptomatic Unaccompanied Asylum-seeking Children in London 2016-2022.
Pediatr Infect Dis J
; 42(12): 1051-1055, 2023 Dec 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37725799
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children are at increased risk of infections and experience barriers to healthcare access. There is a lack of evidence to underpin existing national and international guidance regarding asymptomatic infection screening in this population. We describe the results from routine infection screening of 1104 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children attending for testing at 3 London centers.METHODS:
We performed a retrospective analysis of routinely collected data from all unaccompanied asylum-seeking children seen in 3 services in London, United Kingdom, between 2016 and 2022.RESULTS:
A total of 1104 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children attended clinic; all accepted screening. The median age was 16 years (range 11-18 years) and 987 (89%) were male. 407 (37%) had at least 1 infection; 116 (11%) had multiple infections. Tuberculosis infection and schistosomiasis were common (found in 18% and 17%, respectively). Hepatitis B infection was identified with a prevalence of 3.9%. Giardia 7.7%, tapeworm 3.3% and Strongyloides 2.8% were also commonly identified.CONCLUSIONS:
We report the largest known dataset to our knowledge of infection screening in asymptomatic unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Europe to date. This data supports recommendations for routine asymptomatic screening in this high-risk cohort, based on the significant prevalence identified of infections of both personal and public health significance.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Refugiados
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Tuberculose
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Tuberculose Latente
Tipo de estudo:
Guideline
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article