Travel-Related Illnesses in Canadian Children (Trip Study)

Abstract

Background: Increasing numbers of Canadians travel internationally each year and a significant number of them will develop travel-related health problems. An estimated 4{%} of travelers are children who account for a disproportionate number of travel-related hospitalizations. However, the burden of travel-related illnesses (TRIs) among Canadian children is unknown. Methods: The Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP) is an active national surveillance program that collects data from approximately 2,500 pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists. A survey regarding TRIs among pediatric patients was mailed out by the CPSP in August 2008 to 2,499 participants. Results: There were 631 respondents (25{%}), of whom 185 (29{%}) had seen patients with TRIs during the previous 12 months. Children who traveled to visit friends and relatives (VFRs) were seen by 71{%} of the respondents while tourist travelers and immigrant travelers were each seen by 46{%} of the respondents. The regions of travel most commonly associated with TRIs were Africa (51{%}) and India (43{%}). Travel to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South and Central America was also commonly associated with TRIs. The most commonly seen TRIs were diarrheal diseases (57{%}), enteric fever (35{%}), and malaria (35{%}). Conclusion: Almost one third of Canadian pediatricians and pediatric sub-specialists see children with TRIs in their practices, the majority of whom are pediatric VFRs. These data highlight the need for pediatric training in TRIs and for advocacy concerning pre-travel advice for families traveling abroad with children.