WITHDRAWN: Estimates of Undernutrition among migrant/refugee children in lower-middle-income countries: A meta-analysis of published evidence from 2010-2022

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to highlight the state of undernutrition among migrant/refugee children living in lower middle income countries using published evidence from the past twelve years (2010 to 2022). Methods We searched PubMed, Scopus, Science-Direct, CINAHL Plus, & Google-Scholar to identify peer reviewed evidence relevant to our objective published between January 2010 to December 2022. Two researchers independently examined the studies, retrieved the data, and evaluated the studies' quality. NIH quality assessment tool was used. A random effect meta-analysis was conducted to pull the estimates. Subgroup analysis, Meta regression and sensitivity analysis was done to explore the source of heterogeneity and the robustness of our estimates. Findings From selected 17 studies out of 1664 identified records, the pulled estimates of stunting, wasting and underweight among migrant/ refugee children in LMICs was 27.45% (Confidence Interval (CI) 18.99 to 36.82; I2 100%; p value <0.001), 13.59% (CI 8.48 to 19.67; I2 99%; P value <0.001), and 25.96 (CI 17.20 to 35.83; I2 100%; p value <0.001) respectively. Among different WHO regions all three undernutrition estimates were higher in LMICs belonging to South-east Asian region (Stunting 36.64%; wasting 13.98%, underweight 31.79%). Estimates in India was 43.55%, 18.71%, and 37.45% respectively in similar chronology. High heterogeneity was noted across all the estimates with I2 value >90%. Sensitivity analysis across indicators shown stability of our estimates. Interpretations The extent of undernutrition, particularly wasting, was significant among migrant/refugee children living in LMICs. Measures should be taken to strengthen the government-subsidized public food distribution system, increase the healthcare outreach, and ensure public health-insurance coverage among the migrant population.