Growth of immigrant Chinese infants in the first year of life

Growth of Chinese Italian infants in the first 2 years of life

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have been carried out on the growth of human migrant populations. However, studies on the auxological pattern of Chinese migrant population are limited in Italy.

AIMS

In this paper we examine the growth pattern from birth to 24 months and the body composition of Chinese infants born and living in Bologna (north Italy).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A longitudinal study was conducted recruiting 224 healthy Chinese children. The anthropometric measurements were collected when the children were immunized. Body mass index (BMI), Arm Muscle Area and Arm Fat Area were calculated.

RESULTS

The growth of Chinese Italian children is adequate, being within the normal limits according to the NCHS reference standard. In comparison with Chinese children living in China and abroad, their body length is greater. Comparisons with growth curves for Italian children (Emilia-Romagna) show that weight and length values are higher in Chinese children than in Italians until 12 months, and comparable thereafter. The weight and length growth velocities are similar to those reported for Italian children.

CONCLUSION

As a whole, the results of the present study support the hypothesis that Chinese children born and living in Italy grow in an appropriate environment to achieve their growth potential.

Acculturation and stress in Chinese-American parents of infants cared for in the intensive care unit

PURPOSE

To describe the stressful experiences of Chinese-American parents who have an infant in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to assess the influence of acculturation, parents' characteristics, and social supports on parental stress.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study.

SAMPLE/SETTING

A convenience sample of 30 Chinese-American families (30 mothers, 25 fathers) who had an infant hospitalized in 3 ICU sites in the San Francisco area.

METHODOLOGY

Measures included: (1) Infant's health data from the medical records and parents' demographic data, and (2) Parental Stressor Scale: Infant Hospitalization, Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, and Family Support Scale.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The dependent variable was mothers' and fathers' stress levels. Independent variables included personal/family characteristics, acculturation, uncertainty regarding infants' illness, and social supports.

PRINCIPAL RESULTS

The ICU stressors were ranked by both mothers and fathers in the following order: infant's appearance, parental role alteration, staff communication and behaviors, and ICU environment. The combined effects of uncertainty about their infant's illness and its future impact, a strong belief in Asian family values, and lack of support from healthcare providers accounted for 26% and 55% of the variance in parental stress for mothers and fathers, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this study suggest implications for the education of both families and the ICU staffs.