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Health and Vaccination Status of Unaccompanied Minors After Arrival in a European Border Country: A Cross-sectional Study (2017-2020).
Carreras-Abad, Clara; Oliveira-Souto, Inés; Pou-Ciruelo, Diana; Pujol-Morro, Joan Miquel; Soler-Palacín, Pere; Soriano-Arandes, Antoni; Sulleiro, Elena; Treviño-Maruri, Begoña; Broto-Cortés, Claudia; Esperalba, Juliana; García-Salgado, Guadalupe; Zarzuela, Francesc; Serre-Delcor, Núria; Espiau, María.
  • Carreras-Abad C; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Oliveira-Souto I; Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Center for International Health and Infectious Diseases PROSICS Barcelona, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Pou-Ciruelo D; Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Center for International Health and Infectious Diseases PROSICS Barcelona, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Pujol-Morro JM; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Soler-Palacín P; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Soriano-Arandes A; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Sulleiro E; Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Treviño-Maruri B; Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Center for International Health and Infectious Diseases PROSICS Barcelona, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Broto-Cortés C; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Esperalba J; Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • García-Salgado G; Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Center for International Health and Infectious Diseases PROSICS Barcelona, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Zarzuela F; Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Serre-Delcor N; Drassanes-Vall d'Hebron Center for International Health and Infectious Diseases PROSICS Barcelona, Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Espiau M; From the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiencies Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Pediatr Infect Dis J ; 41(11): 872-877, 2022 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2029111
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) are a high-risk group for infectious diseases and information on their vaccination status is scarce. Different approaches are used to screen newly arrived minors in Europe. The aim of this study was to describe the health status and serological protection against different vaccine-preventable diseases among UASC to inform public health decision-making.

METHODS:

Retrospective study of all UASC seen at an international health reference center in Barcelona (Spain) between January 2017 and February 2020. Screening results were analyzed using binary logistic regression with adjustment for symptoms, geographic origin, and time since arrival.

RESULTS:

We studied 289 UASC (88.9% males; median age, 17 years). At least one infection was diagnosed in 136 minors (47.1%). There was a high prevalence of intestinal parasites (22.8%), latent tuberculosis infection (22.5%), and hepatitis B (5.2%), even in asymptomatic individuals, and especially among UASC from sub-Saharan Africa (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-4.0, P < 0.001). We did not observe a significant association between clinical symptoms and the presence of infection or differences in the prevalence of different infections according to number of months since arrival. Protection against hepatitis B virus (36%), measles (80%), and varicella (83%) was suboptimal.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results highlight the importance of screening and vaccination programs for UASC arriving in Europe, especially border countries. Protocols should be adjusted according to geographic origin. Absence of symptoms does not necessarily rule out infection, highlighting the importance of screening in asymptomatic minors. These programs are a public health priority and should not be neglected during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Refugees / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Pediatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: INF.0000000000003670

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Refugees / COVID-19 Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Journal subject: Communicable Diseases / Pediatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: INF.0000000000003670