[Mental health and disability of children managed by child welfare services in the Bouches-du-Rhone department]. / L'état de santé psychique et le handicap des enfants confiés à l'Aide sociale à l'enfance des Bouches-du-Rhône.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the mental health and disability of foster children in the Bouches-du-Rhône (BDR) department. METHODS: ESSPER-ASE 13 studied the physical and mental health of children managed by Child Welfare Services (CWS) of the BDR department. This descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out from April 2013 to April 2014 and included 1,092 children placed in foster homes or in the custody of child care assistants. This survey explored the physical and mental health of the children and the characteristics of their medical follow-up. This article focuses on the mental health and disability of foster children. RESULTS: Psychiatric disorders were identified in 22% of foster children, predominantly consisting of anxiety disorders (44%), behavioural disorders (44%), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (16%). 20% of children received MDPH (French Departmental Home for Disabled Persons) notification. The two main types of disability were psychological development disorders (61%) and emotional disorders (20%). CONCLUSION: The over-representation of severe psychiatric disorders and disabilities among foster children calls for enhanced diagnosis and optimization of care.

[Care pathway of children managed by the Bouches-du-Rhone Child Welfare Services]. / Parcours de santé des enfants confiés à l?Aide Sociale à l?Enfance des Bouches-du-Rhône.

AIM: To describe the care pathway of children managed by the Bouches-du-Rhône Child Welfare Services and to propose ways to improve this care pathway. METHODS: ESSPER-ASE 13 survey is a descriptive and cross-sectional survey carried out between April 2013 and April 2014, which included 1,092 children under the age of 18 years placed in a Bouches-du-Rhône Child Welfare Services children's home or foster care. This survey studied the physical and mental health and the medical follow-up characteristics of these children. This article focuses on care pathway data. RESULTS: 82% of children were followed by general practitioners, while 15% of children, essentially children under the age of 6 years in child care, were followed by Maternal and Infant Protection (Protection Maternelle et Infantile). The care pathway of these children involved multiple actors and was dominated by psychological follow-up. On average, the children were followed by 2 professionals (specialist or paramedical professional) in addition to the medical examiner. In terms of prevention, children's immunization coverage rates were better than national rates. CONCLUSION: Coordination of the numerous actors is essential, including the creation of a referring physician.