Comparison of refugee patients with cystic fibrosis and their counterpart children from Turkey during the war

Conclusion: Although refugee CF patients have equal access to NBS programs and CF medications as well as Turkish patients, the median age at diagnosis of patients, the median age of diagnosis of patients through NBS, their nutritional status, and Pseudomonas colonization were significantly worse than Turkish patients, which may be related to the difficulties of living in another country and poor living conditions. The high genetic heterogeneity and rare mutations detected in the refugee patient group compared to Turkish patients. Well-programmed NBS programs, thorough genetic studies, and the enhancement of living conditions for refugee patients in the countries they relocate to can have several advantages such as early detection and improved prognosis.What is Known:• Children who have chronic diseases are the group that is most affected by wars.• The outcome gets better with early diagnosis and treatment in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).What is New:• Through the implementation of a newborn screening program, which has never been done in Syria previously, refugee patients, the majority of whom are Syrians were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis within a duration of 4 months.• Despite equal access to the newborn screening program and CF medications for both Turkish patients and refugee patients, the challenges of living in a foreign country have an impact on refugees.
Source: European Journal of Pediatrics - Category: Pediatrics Source Type: research