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Growth, nutritional status and infant mortality of Turkish immigrant preschool children
Insights
Turkish preschool children in Stockholm showed good nutritional adaptation and reduced infant mortality after immigration. Health advice should focus on preventing diarrheal diseases during visits to Turkey and addressing dental caries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
- Immigrant Health
Background:
- Turkish preschool children in Stockholm were studied to assess their health and nutritional status.
- Previous research indicates high prevalence of growth failure in their regions of origin in Turkey.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status, growth, and health of Turkish preschool children in Sweden.
- To compare their health outcomes with Swedish standards and identify potential health risks.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements, dental caries assessment, hemoglobin levels, and fecal analysis for pathogens were conducted.
- Sibling mortality data from Turkey and Sweden were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Children's growth closely matched Swedish standards, with subnormal growth linked to recent contact with Turkey.
- No nutritional deficiencies were found, but dental caries were common. Anemia was infrequent, and one case of shigellosis was identified.
- Infant mortality significantly decreased post-immigration, indicating successful adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Turkish preschool children in Sweden demonstrate successful nutritional adaptation.
- Future healthcare should prioritize preventing diarrheal diseases during travel to Turkey and managing dental caries.
Abstract:
Turkish preschool children in Stockholm, Sweden, 59 born 1979, 32 born 1976 and 43 siblings of preschool age have been studied as to nutritional status including anthropometric parameters, dental caries, haemoglobin level and bacteriological and parasitological findings in faeces and as to deaths of siblings in Turkey and Sweden. Growth was very close to that of the Swedish standard. Two of three children with slightly subnormal growth had had recent direct or indirect contact with the home country. There were no signs of nutritional deficiency but dental caries was common. There was little anaemia. One case of shigellosis was found. Mortality of infancy was significantly reduced after immigration. The group had made a successful nutritional adaptation in Sweden considering their origin in regions of Turkey with a high prevalence of growth failure. Health care in this group should aim at prevention of diarrhoeal disease on visits to Turkey as well as of dental caries.