Causes of hospitalization among extra-European Union children in a large hospital of Northern Italy, in a five-year observation period

The hospitalizations of 1,239 patients aged 14 years or less and immigrated from extra-European Union countries in Italy were assessed in the 6-year period, from 1999 to 2004. The main demographic and clinical features were analyzed according to several variables, also distiguishing patients aged less than one year, from those aged 1-14 years. The introduction of a deed of indemnity law in 2001 profoundly changed the pattern of admissions and health care needs and exploitation during subsequent years, leading to a massive regularization of clandestine immigrants.