IS THE SCREENING ON CHILDREN ADOPTED OR RECENTLY IMMIGRATED FROM HIGH RISK COUNTRIES WORTH?

Key words: Migrants, Adopted children, Screening, Anemia, Parasitosis, Tuberculosis

100 children were studied, 72 recently immigrated with their family from developing countries (40% from sub- Saharan Africa) and 28 adopted from foreign countries. By protocol a complete physical examination and the following tests were performed: complete blood and urine tests, stools parasitological examination and tuberculosis screening. None of the subjects presented with symptoms or evidence of illness at the time of screening. Surprisingly, 60% had at least one previously unknown health problem. Including improper vaccination coverage for tetanus or diphtheria, the children with abnormal clinical or laboratory findings rise to 79%. Prevalence of pathological findings is as follows: anemia (Hb <10 g/dl): 11%; small red cells (<70 fl): 22%; iron deficiency (Fe <30 mcg/dl) and hemoglobinopathies (including 2 patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia): 18%. Twenty-six tested patients were positive to stools or urine parasites; 18% had positive Mantoux tuberculin skin test, and 6% had hepatitis B. No positive screenings for HIV, syphillis and hepatitis C were found. Moreover, 57% had no measurable tetanus and/or diphtheria antibodies. The main difference between adopted and immigrated children is anemia, which is more frequent in immigrated children, especially from Africa. In agreement with other studies and both Italian and international guidelines, an early and complete sanitary screening is advised at least in children coming from high risk countries and settings with low socio-sanitary conditions.