Health care of children living with their mother in prison compared with the general population

Background: Italian law allows female prisoners in specific "nest areas" to keep their babies with them until the child reache the age of 3 years. We describe health care of children living in the nest areas and we compare this condition with the general population. Methods: Our study was conducted in the female detention centre of Rome Rebibbia, Italy. Clinical diaries of all babies have been screened. The pediatrics ambulatory of A. Gemelli Hospital of Rome provided all data for comparison. Results: We describe 391 children (150 in the prison group, G1; 150 children with Italian parents, G2, and 91 children with foreign parents, G3) with similar characteristics. There were statistical differences between-groups in respect of the auxological data, gestational age (lower in G1 vs G2, p < 0.0004, and lower in G1 vs G3, p < 0.03), time of weaning age earlier in G1 vs G2, (p < 0.035), number of respiratory infective disease (G1 > G2, p < 0.0001, and G1 > G3, p < 0.003). We also found inadequate immunisation status in children at their admission to prison. According to our observations children received good sanitary assistance inside the prison and the adjustment of their immunisation status when they stayed in prison for a long enough period. Conclusions: The significant information shown by our data suggest that children living in prison with their mothers represent a vulnerable group with particular healthcare needs.