The effects of skin rash are often intensified because of sun, sweat, and lack of sanitary facilities. Occupational hazards also affect migrant children's health by generating maternal health problems. Exposure to pesticides during pregnancy is found to be associated with fetal limb defects and Down's syndrome. Human milk may be contaminated as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals. Poverty leads to poor nutrition and sanitation, which contribute to abnormally high rates of chronic illnesses and acute problems among migrant children.
Malnutrition is associated with poverty.
Ethnically and regionally specific dietary inadequacies include zinc, riboflavin, vitamins B6 and B12, and folate. The study also says that females among the ethnic groups consumed inadequate nutrients significantly more frequently than males. An implication is that migrant children may suffer from maternal malnutrition. Closely related to both malnutrition and poverty, another health problem for migrant children is parasitic infestations, including bacterial, protozoan, viral, and worm infections. Studies in other regions identified a comparable prevalence of infections.