The genes road: impact of migration on newborn screening and health amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Sep;28(35):47685-47688. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-15848-5. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Abstract

Nearly two-thirds of migrants residing in camps in Europe are women and children. Many of these children, being born on the way without essential newborns screening, are at some point admitted to pediatric wards in asylum countries. With hospitals overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, taking appropriate care of newborns becomes a considerable burden. In this frame, prevention, in the form of adequate newborn screening, emerges as a better and more feasible strategy than healing.

Keywords: COVID-10; Eastern Mediterranean region; Health; Migration; Newborn; Screening.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Mediterranean Region
  • Neonatal Screening
  • Pandemics*
  • SARS-CoV-2