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Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies Among Populations of Newly Arriving Government Assisted Refugee Children to Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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Abstract

This study examined the variation among ethnic populations in prevalence of anemia, vitamin D and B12 deficiencies among refugee children. A retrospective chart review of 388 government assisted refugee children ≤ 16 years of age, seen at the Refugee Health Clinic in Kitchener, Canada from January 2009 to December 2014 was conducted. Vitamin D levels were only collected until December 1st 2010 (116 children). 15.7% were anemic (25% < 5 years, 8.7% 5–11 years, and 18.3% 12–16 years old) with Somali children having the lowest hemoglobin levels compared to those from Iraq, Afghanistan and Myanmar. 53.5% were vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L), seen most commonly in Iraqis and Afghans. 11.2% had vitamin B12 levels < 150 pmol/L. Providers’ knowledge of prevalence of nutritional deficiencies related to region of origin, can guide appropriate screening and treatment options to promote longer term cognitive, physical and developmental health.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Carolyn Beukeboom

  2. School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Carolyn Beukeboom

  3. London, ON, Canada

    Carolyn Beukeboom

  4. Centre for Family Medicine Refugee Health Clinic, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Neil Arya

  5. Family Medicine McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    Neil Arya

  6. Family Medicine Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Neil Arya

Authors
  1. Carolyn Beukeboom
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  2. Neil Arya
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Correspondence to Carolyn Beukeboom.

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Beukeboom, C., Arya, N. Prevalence of Nutritional Deficiencies Among Populations of Newly Arriving Government Assisted Refugee Children to Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 1317–1323 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0730-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0730-9

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