Chronic Pediatric Diseases in Remote Villages of French Guiana Over a 9-Year Period

Twenty percent of French Guiana's population lives in remote villages surrounded by tropical forests, accessible only by plane or boat. Some specialists, including pediatricians, regularly visit these villages for consultation purposes. The main objective for the present study was to provide an epidemiological description of childhood diseases that require follow-up or consultation with pediatricians in remote health centers. A descriptive, retrospective, multicenter study of pediatricians' consultations in these health centers was conducted from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2019. A total of 1,458 patients were included in the current study. In 2011, at the beginning of the pediatric missions, 91 patients had at least one consultation with a pediatrician, whereas in 2019, 319 patients were seen by a pediatrician in remote health centers. Sixty-two percent of pediatric consultations were single. Twenty-three deaths were recorded between 2011 and 2019, representing 1.4% of all children seen by the pediatricians. Forty-five percent of the children were under 2 years old at the time of their first consultation. The most common diseases were cardiac, infections, developmental delays, prematurity, and genetic diseases, including sickle cell disease. The current study revealed that the rate of children being followed up by pediatricians in the field is high. Children with chronic conditions can be followed up regularly, and additional investigations or support can be provided as needed. However, this comprehensive study highlights the difficulties pediatricians face in providing care, often due to external factors, such as a lack of healthcare infrastructure, cultural and linguistic differences, and educational and social difficulties, and emphasizes the need to reduce these barriers.