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Child health in international travel: A German airport survey
Jonathan Remppis1, Rebekka Weitz2, Mohamed Aasi2
1Institute for Tropical Medicine, Tübingen University, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Neuropediatrics, General Pediatrics, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Social Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Pediatric travel medicine preparation in Germany shows significant gaps in vaccinations and malaria prevention. Improved awareness and training are crucial for children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Travel Medicine
- Global Health
- Preventive Healthcare
Background:
- Pediatric travel medicine is underrepresented despite children's vulnerability to travel health risks.
- Preventive measures for children traveling abroad are inconsistently applied.
- This study addresses gaps and resources in pediatric travel medicine outside clinical settings in Germany.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather unfiltered data on pediatric travel medicine practices in Germany.
- To identify existing gaps in pre-travel preparation for children.
- To assess available resources for pediatric travel health.
Main Methods:
- Face-to-face interviews with 200 families (702 individuals, 318 children) at Frankfurt Airport baggage claim.
- Data collected on travel profiles, medical preparation, behaviors, and travel-related illnesses.
- Study conducted between July 2024 and January 2025.
Main Results:
- Only 15% of families consulted travel medicine specialists; 55% received advice from pediatricians or general practitioners (GPs).
- 69% of children did not receive pre-travel vaccinations; 61% of high-risk children for malaria did not receive chemoprophylaxis.
- 26% of children experienced medical issues during travel, primarily respiratory symptoms, fever, and diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Pediatricians and GPs are vital for travel consultations, but significant shortcomings exist in pediatric travel preparation.
- Urgent improvements needed in vaccination and malaria prevention strategies for traveling children.
- Increased family awareness, enhanced training for healthcare providers, and clear pediatric guidelines are essential.
Background:
Despite rising global mobility, pediatric travel medicine remains underrepresented. Children are particularly vulnerable to travel-related health risks, yet evidence suggests that preventive measures are inconsistently applied. This study aimed to obtain unfiltered data on pediatric travel medicine outside a medical setting in Germany, and identify existing gaps and resources.
Methods:
Between July 2024 and January 2025, face-to-face interviews with families returning from tropical or subtropical destinations were conducted in the baggage claim area at Frankfurt Airport. The survey collected data on travel profiles, medical preparation, behaviors and travel-related illnesses. In total, 200 families were included in the analysis, comprising 702 individuals, of whom 318 were children under 18 years.
Results:
While 109 (55 %) families had received pre-travel advice by a pediatrician or general practitioner (GP), only 29 (15 %) had been consulted by travel medicine specialists. The children of 138 (69 %) families had not received any vaccinations in preparation for their trip. Among 31 families at high risk of malaria, only 19 (61 %) administered chemoprophylaxis to their children. Seventeen families carried standby emergency treatment, some in addition to chemoprophylaxis. Children of 51 (26 %) families had medical problems during travel, mostly respiratory symptoms, fever, and diarrhea; only one child required hospitalization.
Conclusions:
Pediatricians and GPs play a key role in travel consultation. The study reveals substantial shortcomings in pediatric travel preparation, particularly regarding vaccination and malaria prevention. To address these gaps, increased awareness among families, improved training for pediatricians and GPs, and clear and accessible pediatric-specific guidelines are urgently needed.
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