Screening of children returning from living in the tropics is worth while

To find out whether it is worth routinely screening children on their return from living in the tropics, Brouwer et al (p 568) analysed data from all such children they had seen for a check up: these examinations were required by the children’s parents’ employers. 216 children had spent 3 months-13 years in tropical countries (175 in sub-Saharan Africa); 29 children were seen early because of symptoms. Tropical diseases were diagnosed in 99 of the 253 (39%) asymptomatic children and 15 of the 29 (52%) symptomatic ones. The authors conclude that routine screening is worth while and that laboratory tests will identify most cases of disease.