Infections and nutritional status of internationally adopted children in France

AIM In the context of global changes in the epidemiology of internationally adopted children (IACs), the prevalence of infectious diseases and nutritional impairment has not been recently reviewed. Moreover, in France, these characteristics of the children according to their continents of origin and pre-adoption special needs (SN) status has been incompletely explored. METHODS Demographic, infectious data and anthropometric of all the newly arrived IACs seen in a specialized clinic for international adoptees in Paris, France, between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS 350 IACs [mean age : 3,4 years (±2,7), 204 male] from 39 countries were included, 55% had SN. 93 patients had at least one infection, 42% being classified as "serious" (chronic viral infection, tuberculosis or malaria). Chronic viral infection was diagnosed in 26 (7%) patients (HIV: 16 cases, HBV: 5, HCV: 4) and affected especially Asian children (p<0,001). The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and microcephaly was respectively 25%, 22%, 15%, and 8%. Stunting was more frequent in children from Eastern Europe (p=0,02), while SN children were more often microcephalic or underweight (respectively p=0,03 and 0,02). CONCLUSION The prevalence of serious infections and nutritional impairment remains high in IACs and require early detection and careful follow-up.