Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Infections and nutritional status of internationally adopted children in France
Juliette Goutines1, Laurie C Miller1, Frederic Sorge1
1Department of Paediatrics, Necker-Enfants-Malades University Hospital, Paris, France.
Insights
Globally, internationally adopted children (IACs) show high rates of serious infections and nutritional deficits. Early detection and follow-up are crucial for their health and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Global health
- Pediatrics
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Epidemiology of internationally adopted children (IACs) is changing globally.
- Recent reviews on infectious diseases and nutritional status in IACs are lacking.
- Characteristics of IACs in France by origin and special needs (SN) status require further exploration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional impairment in newly arrived IACs in France.
- To analyze these health characteristics based on continent of origin and preadoption special needs (SN) status.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of demographic, infectious, and anthropometric data.
- Study included newly arrived IACs at a specialized clinic in Paris (2013-2016).
- Data analysis focused on infections, nutritional status (stunting, underweight, wasting, microcephaly), and associations with origin and SN status.
Main Results:
- 350 IACs were included; 55% had SN.
- 99 children (28%) had infections, with 42% classified as serious (e.g., chronic viral infections, tuberculosis, malaria).
- Chronic viral infections (HIV, HBV, HCV) were more prevalent in Asian children. Stunting was higher in Eastern European children. SN children had higher rates of microcephaly and underweight.
Conclusions:
- Serious infections and nutritional impairment remain prevalent in IACs.
- Early detection and careful follow-up are essential for managing the health of IACs.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored health assessments based on origin and preadoption needs.
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...