Pediatric Care for Immigrant, Refugee, and Internationally Adopted Children

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2022 Feb;69(1):153-170. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2021.09.006.

Abstract

Immigrant children are a diverse group and include refugees, asylees, and internationally adopted children. They have various infectious disease risk factors, depending on conditions within their country of origin, journey, and current living conditions. Infectious disease screening should take place within the framework of a comprehensive medical evaluation in the medical home. Some screening is recommended for all immigrant children including hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV, tuberculosis, and intestinal parasites; other diseases can be tested for based on individual risks. Although guidelines and resources are available, there is limited evidence supporting much of the care of immigrant children and youth.

Keywords: Immigrant children; Infectious diseases; Internationally adopted children; Refugee.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Child, Adopted*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Communicable Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Communicable Diseases / therapy*
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immunization / methods
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Parasitic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Pediatrics / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Refugees*
  • Syphilis / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis / diagnosis