Auxo-endocrinological features in a cohort of internationally adopted children in Italy

Abstract

Background

Internationally adopted children (IAC) can present growth impairment at arrival, which usually recovers over time. Moreover, a major prevalence of precocious puberty has been reported in this group.

Methods

All IAC referred to a tertiary level hospital in Italy from January 2016 to June 2017, underwent a standardized screening protocol and were prospectively enrolled in the study. The analyses of possible risk factors for growth impairment and precocious puberty were performed.

Results

Overall, 422 children were included (males 59.5%), with median age of 6.5 years (IQR 9.4–3.9), 29.9% adopted from Europe, 26.8% from Asia, 23.9% from Africa and 19.4% from Latin America. Children were in Italy from a median of 75 days (IQR 137.0–38.7). Stunting was observed in 12.9% of children, wasting in 4.3%, underweight in 12.9%. Precocious puberty was diagnosed in 2.2% of children. 17.1% IAC had diagnosis of special needs. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders represented the 41.7% of children with special needs and 48.1% of Russian children. Independent predictive factors for stunting were age < 5 years, a diagnosis of special need and having been living in Italy for < 60 days since the arrival.

Conclusion

Stunting among IAC is a frequent finding especially in children < 5 years and in those with special needs, independently from their geographical origin.

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