Risk of neurodevelopmental disorders among preschool children of migrants and refugees in High-Income Western Countries: A systematic review
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1. School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797,, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
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2. School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
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3. Health Equity across Lifespan (HEAL) Laboratory, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
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4. Bangladesh Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition (BADN), Dhaka, Bangladesh
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5. Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6. South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), Sydney, NSW, Australia
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7. School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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8. Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, Australia
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9. Academic Unit of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
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10. Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore
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11. Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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12. Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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13. University of Sydney Library, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
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14. Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health,, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145,, Australia
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15. Oral Health Services, Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Dental Hospital,, NSW Health, NSW 2010, Australia
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16. Aureolin Research, Consultancy, and Expertise Development ARCED Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2010
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disability, typically manifest in early childhood and can significantly affect learning, behavior, and social interactions. Migration-related factors directly or indirectly contribute to the development of such conditions. The existing evidence is still limited and scattered. This systematic review aims to identify the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool children of migrants and refugees in high-income Western countries.
METHODS:
Five databases, including Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched for eligible studies from inception until (specify month and year). Three reviewers independently screened and selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. A narrative synthesis of the results from the included studies has been conducted.
RESULTS:
Out of 12434 records, 12 met the eligibility criteria, with most conducted in Western Europe, North America, and Australia. The majority of the included research reported on autism, with only a few reporting on autism with intellectual disability, speech and language disorders, and coordination difficulties. Parental migration was a significant risk factor for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions among children compared to native-born children. Other risk factors include older parental age, maternal stress, low socioeconomic status of the country of origin, African or Asian ethnicity, and prenatal and perinatal complications. Considerable heterogeneity in study design, migration-related factors, and diagnostic criteria was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our review highlighted a number of factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool-aged children of migrants. Future research should include a longitudinal design with a range of migration-related factors to understand the underlying mechanism. Timely and culturally appropriate screening processes and interventions are essential to ensure equitable access and promote optimal developmental outcomes.
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disability, typically manifest in early childhood and can significantly affect learning, behavior, and social interactions. Migration-related factors directly or indirectly contribute to the development of such conditions. The existing evidence is still limited and scattered. This systematic review aims to identify the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool children of migrants and refugees in high-income Western countries.
METHODS:
Five databases, including Medline, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, were searched for eligible studies from inception until (specify month and year). Three reviewers independently screened and selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. A narrative synthesis of the results from the included studies has been conducted.
RESULTS:
Out of 12434 records, 12 met the eligibility criteria, with most conducted in Western Europe, North America, and Australia. The majority of the included research reported on autism, with only a few reporting on autism with intellectual disability, speech and language disorders, and coordination difficulties. Parental migration was a significant risk factor for autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions among children compared to native-born children. Other risk factors include older parental age, maternal stress, low socioeconomic status of the country of origin, African or Asian ethnicity, and prenatal and perinatal complications. Considerable heterogeneity in study design, migration-related factors, and diagnostic criteria was observed.
CONCLUSIONS:
Our review highlighted a number of factors associated with neurodevelopmental disorders in preschool-aged children of migrants. Future research should include a longitudinal design with a range of migration-related factors to understand the underlying mechanism. Timely and culturally appropriate screening processes and interventions are essential to ensure equitable access and promote optimal developmental outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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