[Hospitalization of foreign children in the Paris area]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric hospitalizations
• Public health disparities
• Sociomedical factors in child health

Context:

• A 1980 study examined 978 hospitalizations of 940 children across 14 Paris "Assistance Publique" departments.
• The study specifically compared French children with children born in France to two foreign parents.

Purpose:

• To investigate the hospitalization rates and patterns of foreign children compared to French children.
• To identify factors contributing to differences in hospitalization, including disease type and length of stay.

Summary:

• Foreign children exhibited an "abnormally high" hospitalization rate, partly explained by social factors but remaining significant after adjustment.
• Distinct disease patterns were observed: congenital malformations in French children versus accidents and infections in foreign children.
• Foreign children experienced longer hospitalizations for similar conditions, with maternal occupation, not paternal work, significantly influencing length of stay.

Impact:

• Highlights potential health inequities and access barriers for foreign children in urban healthcare systems.
• Suggests maternal employment status is an independent factor influencing pediatric hospitalization duration.
• Provides historical data on child hospitalization trends and sociomedical determinants in a major European city.