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Published on: June 23, 2015
Kidney disease profile and encountered problems during follow-up in Syrian refugee children: a multicenter
Ayse Balat1, Beltinge Demircioglu Kilic2, Bagdagul Aksu3,4,5
1Division of Pediatric Nephrology, School of Medicine, Gaziantep University, 27310, Gaziantep, Turkey. aysebalat@hotmail.com.
Insights
Syrian refugee children in Turkey face significant kidney disease burdens, with congenital anomalies, glomerular diseases, and chronic kidney disease being most common. Challenges include language barriers and disrupted follow-ups, hindering effective care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Public Health
- Refugee Health
Background:
- Children in conflict zones, particularly those with chronic illnesses, are highly vulnerable.
- Syrian refugee children in Turkey represent a population facing unique health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the kidney disease profiles of Syrian refugee children.
- To identify problems encountered during the follow-up of these children.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study involving 633 Syrian refugee children (0-18 years) across 22 pediatric nephrology centers in Turkey.
- Data collected included demographics, diagnoses, interventions, and follow-up issues.
Main Results:
- Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), glomerular disease, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were the most prevalent conditions.
- Parental consanguinity was noted in 57.7% of cases.
- Common challenges included language barriers, lack of medical records, and disrupted follow-up care.
Conclusions:
- CAKUT, glomerular disease, and CKD are highly prevalent in this vulnerable population.
- Understanding these disease frequencies and associated problems is crucial for improving treatment and prevention strategies for refugee children.
Background:
Children are one of the most vulnerable groups in conflict zones, especially those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate kidney disease profiles and problems during follow-up in a population of Syrian refugee children residing in Turkey.
Methods:
Syrian refugee children aged between 0 and 18 years were included in the study. Demographic data, diagnosis, particular interventions due to nephrological problems, and problems encountered during follow-up were obtained from all participating pediatric nephrology centers.
Results:
Data from 633 children from 22 pediatric nephrology centers were included. Mean age of the children was 94.8 ± 61.7 months and 375 were male (59%). 57.7% had parental consanguinity and 23.3% had a close relative(s) with kidney disease. The most common kidney diseases were congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) (31.0%), glomerular disease (19.9%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (14.8%), and urolithiasis (10.7%). Frequent reasons for CAKUT were nonobstructive hydronephrosis (23.0%), vesico-ureteral reflux (18.4%), and neurogenic bladder (15.8%). The most common etiology of glomerular diseases was nephrotic syndrome (69%). Ninety-four children had CKD, and 58 children were on chronic dialysis. Six children had kidney transplantation. Surgical intervention was performed on 111 patients. The language barrier, lack of medical records, and frequent disruptions in periodic follow-ups were the main problems noted.
Conclusions:
CAKUT, glomerular disease, and CKD were highly prevalent in Syrian refugee children. Knowing the frequency of chronic diseases and the problems encountered in refugees would facilitate better treatment options and preventive measures.
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