A comparison of pretravel health care, travel-related exposures, and illnesses among pediatric and adult U.S. Military beneficiaries

We evaluated differences in pretravel care, exposures, and illnesses among pediatric and adult travelers, using a prospective, observational cohort. Eighty-one pediatric travelers were matched 1:1 with adult military dependents by travel region, destination’s malaria risk, and travel duration. Pediatric travelers were more likely to have coverage for hepatitis A and B (90% versus 67% of adults; 85% versus 44%), visit friends and relatives (36% versus 16%), report mosquito bites (69% versus 44%), and have close contact with wild or domesticated animals (40% versus 20%) than adults (P < 0.05). Subjects < 10 years of age were less likely to be prescribed antibiotics (28% versus 95%; RR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.46–0.85) and antidiarrheals (9% versus 100%; RR = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.03–0.29) for travelers’ diarrhea (TD) self-treatment than adults. Travel medicine providers should emphasize strategies for vector avoidance, prevention of animal bites and scratches, and TD self-treatment in pediatric pretravel consultations.