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Afghan Refugee Children and Mothers

Afghan Refugee Children and Mothers Abstract Objective: Although the more than 6 million Afghan refugees represent the largest single group of refugees worldwide, little information is available about their health status. Research Design: Case series assessing the health and socioeconomic status of female Afghan refugees and their families and the nutritional and developmental status of their children. Setting and Patients: Fifty-one female Afghan refugees and their children accompanying them at a maternal child health clinic in Quetta, Pakistan. Results: All families had suffered serious losses from the war. Thirty-three women (65%) had lost at least one liveborn child, most commonly to gastroenteritis, "hunger," or neonatal tetanus. Thirteen children had been killed by bombardment, mine injuries, or gunshot wounds. The nutritional status of the children was markedly poor: z scores were less than −2 for weight in 67% of children and also less than −2 for head circumference in 50% of children. Serial z scores for weight in 23 children showed marked decline in 15 children (65%). Sixty-nine percent of children were overdue for vaccinations. Developmental milestones were significantly delayed. Conclusion: Afghan refugee children and their mothers are extremely needy and vulnerable and may be considered among the hidden casualties of war.(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;148:704-708) References 1. Ogata S. Reflections on the world refugee problem: international humanitarian causes . Vital Speeches of the Day . 1992;58:177-180. 2. Hussein M. Afghanistan after the turmoil . World Health . (July) 1989:11-12. 3. Mayotte J. Disposable People? The Plight of Refugees . Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books; 1992:125-216. 4. Grant JP. The State of the World's Children . New York, NY: Oxford University Press Inc; 1992. 5. Nellhaus G. Head circumference from birth to eighteen years: practical composite international and interracial graphs . Pediatrics . 1968;41:106-114. 6. Jelliffe DB. The Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Community . Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1966. 7. Frankenburg W. Denver Developmental Screening Test . In: Greene MG. The Harriet Lane Handbook . 12th ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby–Year Book; 1991:117-11. 8. Social and economic conditions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan surveyed . UN Chronicle . (September) 1988:38-39. 9. Schaller JG, Nightingale EO. Children and childhoods: hidden casualties of war and civil unrest . JAMA . 1992;268:643-644.Crossref http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine American Medical Association

Afghan Refugee Children and Mothers

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References (10)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
1072-4710
eISSN
1538-3628
DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1994.02170070042007
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Although the more than 6 million Afghan refugees represent the largest single group of refugees worldwide, little information is available about their health status. Research Design: Case series assessing the health and socioeconomic status of female Afghan refugees and their families and the nutritional and developmental status of their children. Setting and Patients: Fifty-one female Afghan refugees and their children accompanying them at a maternal child health clinic in Quetta, Pakistan. Results: All families had suffered serious losses from the war. Thirty-three women (65%) had lost at least one liveborn child, most commonly to gastroenteritis, "hunger," or neonatal tetanus. Thirteen children had been killed by bombardment, mine injuries, or gunshot wounds. The nutritional status of the children was markedly poor: z scores were less than −2 for weight in 67% of children and also less than −2 for head circumference in 50% of children. Serial z scores for weight in 23 children showed marked decline in 15 children (65%). Sixty-nine percent of children were overdue for vaccinations. Developmental milestones were significantly delayed. Conclusion: Afghan refugee children and their mothers are extremely needy and vulnerable and may be considered among the hidden casualties of war.(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1994;148:704-708) References 1. Ogata S. Reflections on the world refugee problem: international humanitarian causes . Vital Speeches of the Day . 1992;58:177-180. 2. Hussein M. Afghanistan after the turmoil . World Health . (July) 1989:11-12. 3. Mayotte J. Disposable People? The Plight of Refugees . Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books; 1992:125-216. 4. Grant JP. The State of the World's Children . New York, NY: Oxford University Press Inc; 1992. 5. Nellhaus G. Head circumference from birth to eighteen years: practical composite international and interracial graphs . Pediatrics . 1968;41:106-114. 6. Jelliffe DB. The Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Community . Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 1966. 7. Frankenburg W. Denver Developmental Screening Test . In: Greene MG. The Harriet Lane Handbook . 12th ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby–Year Book; 1991:117-11. 8. Social and economic conditions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan surveyed . UN Chronicle . (September) 1988:38-39. 9. Schaller JG, Nightingale EO. Children and childhoods: hidden casualties of war and civil unrest . JAMA . 1992;268:643-644.Crossref

Journal

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine – American Medical Association

Published: Jul 1, 1994

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