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Italian multicentre study found infectious and vaccine‐preventable diseases in children adopted from Africa and recommends prompt medical screening
Author(s) -
Chiappini Elena,
Zaffaroni Mauro,
Bianconi Martina,
Veneruso Giuseppina,
Grasso Nicolino,
Garazzino Silvia,
Arancio Rosangela,
Valentini Piero,
Ficcadenti Anna,
Da Riol Maria Rosalia,
La Placa Simona,
Galli Luisa,
Martino Maurizio,
Bona Gianni
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14237
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , vaccination , tuberculosis , population , confidence interval , immunology , environmental health , pathology
Aim This study evaluated the prevalence of infectious diseases and immunisation status of children adopted from Africa. Methods We studied 762 African children referred to 11 Italian paediatric centres in 2009–2015. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected and analysed. Results The median age of the children (60.3% males) was 3 years and 6 months, 52.6% came from Ethiopia and 50.1% had at least one infectious disease. Parasitic infections accounted for the majority of the infectious diseases (409 of 715), and the most common were Giardia lamblia (n = 239), Toxocara canis (n = 65) and skin infections (n = 205), notably Tinea capitis/corporis (n = 134) and Molluscum contagiosum (n = 56) Active tuberculosis ( TB ) was diagnosed in nine children (1.2%). Latent TB infections were diagnosed in 52 (6.8%) children, and only 23 had concordant positive tuberculin skin tests and Quantiferon Gold In‐Tube results. Discordant results were associated with Bacille de Calmette‐Guérin vaccinations (odd ratio 6.30 and 95% confidence interval of 1.01–39.20, p = 0.011). Nonprotective antitetanus or antihepatitis B antibody titres were documented in 266 (34.9%) and 396 (51.9%) of the 762 children. Conclusion The prevalence of infectious conditions and not‐protective titres for vaccine‐preventable diseases observed in our population underlines the need for prompt and complete medical screening of children adopted from Africa.