ArticlePloS one2023
Health of children who experienced Australian immigration detention.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- The impact of immigration detention on mental health: an updated systematic review.BMC psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Immigration detention of children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physical and mental health impacts.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- The impact of immigration detention on children's mental health: systematic review.The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science · 2025Pooled it
- Health Screening and Post-Arrival Services for Refugee Children From Afghanistan.Journal of paediatrics and child health · 2026Article
- Eyes Offshore: Reporting the Eye Health Needs of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Australia's Offshore Detention Centres.Clinical & experimental ophthalmology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
9 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAustralian immigration policy resulted in large numbers of children being held in locked detention. We examined the physical and mental health of children and families who experienced immigration detention.
methodsRetrospective audit of medical records of children exposed to immigration detention attending the Royal Children's Hospital Immigrant Health Service, Melbourne, Australia, from January 2012 -December 2021. We extracted data on demographics, detention duration and location, symptoms, physical and mental health diagnoses and care provided.
results277 children had directly (n = 239) or indirectly via parents (n = 38) experienced locked detention, including 79 children in families detained on Nauru or Manus Island. Of 239 detained children, 31 were infants born in locked detention. Median duration of locked detention was 12 months (IQR 5-19 months). Children were detained on Nauru/Manus Island (n = 47/239) for a median of 51 (IQR 29-60) months compared to 7 (IQR 4-16) months for those held in Australia/Australian territories (n = 192/239). Overall, 60% (167/277) of children had a nutritional deficiency, and 75% (207/277) had a concern relating to development, including 10% (27/277) with autism spectrum disorder and 9% (26/277) with intellectual disability. 62% (171/277) children had mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression and behavioural disturbances and 54% (150/277) had parents with mental illness. Children and parents detained on Nauru had a significantly higher prevalence of all mental health concerns compared with those held in Australian detention centres.
conclusionThis study provides clinical evidence of adverse impacts of held detention on children's physical and mental health and wellbeing. Policymakers must recognise the consequences of detention, and avoid detaining children and families.
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