title: Health needs of refugee children younger than 5 years arriving in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  New Zealand accepts 750 refugees annually who enter via the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the health needs of refugee children less than 5 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective audit on the outcomes of health screening and referrals in children less than 5 years of age at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre between 2007 and 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 343 children, the most common infectious diseases were latent tuberculosis (15%) and parasitic infections (15%). In those older than 1 year old who had rubella and measles serology information, immunity was found in 50% and 59%, respectively. Hepatitis B immunity was found in 68%. Complete vaccination certificates were available for 66% on arrival to New Zealand. Vaccinations were administered to 73% while at the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre. Iron deficiency and vitamin D deficiency were the main noninfectious diseases found and were present in 33% and 12%, respectively. The total requiring referral for further medical assessment or support was 58% with 19% requiring referral to more than one service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screening identified health needs in otherwise asymptomatic newly arriving refugee children. A proportion of children required access to multiple specialized medical services and may benefit from a comprehensive pediatric service.
authors.affiliation: From the *Starship Children's Hospital; and †Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Santuri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rungan
authors.forename: Antony Martin
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reeve
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Voss
mesh_terms: D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D055985:Latent Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data