International Travel Medicine Center of Iran International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health 2322-1100 9 1 2021 01 01 Infectious Disease Acquisition in Pediatric International Travelers: A 10-Year Review at a Canadian Tertiary Care Hospital 25 30 119619 10.34172/ijtmgh.2021.05 EN Stavros Lalos The Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland Daniel S. Farrar Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada 0000-0002-7823-1912 Michelle Science Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada 0000-0002-2855-8570 Shaun K. Morris Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada 0000-0001-9809-0822 Journal Article 2020 06 18 <strong>Introduction:</strong> Children are frequent international travelers and may acquire serious infectious diseases during travel. We undertook a retrospective 10-year review examining children admitted to hospital with infectious diseases associated with international travel at a Canadian tertiary care pediatric hospital. <strong>Methods:</strong> Retrospective chart review was performed on select travel-related infectious diseases in children ranging in age from birth to <18 years who were admitted at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto between January 1st, 2009 and December 31st, 2018. Cases were identified using ICD-10 discharge codes. Patient demographics, travel history, epidemiological data, disease, and prophylaxis history were documented. <strong>Results:</strong> A total of 154 children were hospitalized with a travel-related infection over a 10-year period. The most common diagnoses were typhoid or paratyphoid fever (n = 58, 38%), malaria (n = 57, 37%), and hepatitis A (n = 14, 8%). The median age of those infected was 8 years (IQR 3-12). There were 120 (78%) children who were Canadian born, 31 (20%) immigrants and 3 (2%) who were visiting Canada. Of those who lived in Canada, 112 (90%) travelled for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives (VFR), 6 (5%) for tourism and 2 (2%) for humanitarian work. India was typically known for the acquisition of infection for typhoid or paratyphoid fever, and Nigeria for malaria. Hepatitis A was most commonly acquired in Pakistan. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Imported infectious diseases continue to be a significant issue in travelers returning from trips suggesting improved preventative pre-travel care. VFR children are a group that should, in particular, be targeted for appropriate pre-travel advice and care. https://www.ijtmgh.com/article_119619_580d354c3188a098bb46e4cecea830ff.pdf