In a first-of-its-kind detailed study of overall wellbeing of children after the catastrophe struck the Gulf Coast, children’s health conditions were cited as 'serious'. The organization surveyed 261 children who previously occupied federally funded Baton Rouge trailer park and examined their medical records.
Baton Rouge, the largest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailer park in the area, received medical help through mobile clinics from Children's Health Fund.
According to the study author Irwin Redlener, who is also the president of the group, the mobile clinics provided all the data for this study.
Report reveals that 24 percent children were diagnosed with upper respiratory problems, allergic and skin diseases whereas about 42 percent had allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. Also, behavioral problems and learning disorders were found in 55 percent elementary school children.
But Redlener pointed that 41 percent of children under the age of four were anemic and found it to be the most upsetting finding. This iron-deficiency figure is almost double in comparison to children in New York's other homeless shelters. "This is a very big problem that has not been focused on at all in the Gulf Coast," quoted Redlener.
Pediatrician Heidi Sinclair, who assisted Children's Health Fund clinic operations in Baton Rouge, indicated that skin allergies and respiratory problems were alarmingly high amongst these children. Further more, iron-deficiency rates were steadily elevated through the testing procedures, so much so that testing machines were doubted to be malfunctioning.
Anemia or iron-deficiency can even prove fatal for young children. Its common symptoms are skin diseases, fatigue and attention-deficit disorder.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to initiate a long-term study focusing on children living in federal-funded trailers and mobile homes in Louisiana and Mississippi. Alarming levels of toxins like formaldehyde were found in children's diagnosis.
As many as 30,000 children are estimated to be living in trailers and mobile houses in the region. Children studied by Children's Health Fund study are certainly most ailing ones, comments Redlener.
"This is the first wave of data, and it's extremely alarming. Who knows what's happening to kids we're not seeing?" said Redlener.
FEMA estimates that 9,300 families are still residing in trailers whereas 1,600 families are accommodated in hotel rooms through the Gulf Coast. Families of Renaissance Village were shifted to new permanent or temporary locations this summer.
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