Infectious diseases detected by screening after arrival to Denmark in internationally adopted children. (21st October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nielsen, Agnethe Vale; Kjærgaard, Jesper; Pedersen, Tine Marie; Helmuth, Ida Glode; Nygaard, Ulrikka; Nielsen, Helle Winter; Christensen, Vibeke Brix; Kurtzhals, Jørgen Anders Lindholm; Poulsen, Anja
• Is Part Of: Acta pædiatrica. Volume 109:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1004
• Page End: 1010
• Publication Date: 2019-10-21
• Subjects: adoptees -- hepatitis A -- hepatitis B -- infectious diseases -- intestinal parasites -- tuberculosis; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pediatrics; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/apa.15045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-5253

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: To show the prevalence of selected infectious diseases among internationally adopted children (IAC) in Denmark. Background: Each year approximately 200 IAC arrive in Denmark. These are at increased risk of infectious diseases rarely seen in Danish children. Studies from the 1990s showed that 60% of IAC had infectious diseases and that the majority of these were undetected without screening. Methods: The study is a prospective study of medical records from children seen in the adoption clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital in the period 2009‐2013. Screening was done for hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV), syphilis, HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and intestinal parasites. Results: In 245 IAC tested, 2% had evidence of recent HAV infection, 3% with HBV and one child with HCV, and no cases of HIV were found. One child had antibodies against syphilis (anti‐Trpa AB positivity), and 2% were latently infected with tuberculosis. We found 30% infected with pathogenic intestinal parasites. Only 46% had serologic evidence of immunisation against HBV. Conclusion: The prevalence of infections in IAC was lower than previously reported but compared to the general population, a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites, hepatitis and tuberculosis was found. We recommend that IAC are offered screening shortly after arrival.