Health Aspects of International Adoption

Internationally adopted children arrive in their new countries with many infectious disease and other health risks. Physicians provide advice prior to the arrival of the child, including pretravel health and vaccine recommendations for adoptive parents. After arrival, the adoptee should be screened for infectious diseases, including parasites, tuberculosis, hepatitis A/B/C, HIV, and syphilis, and also undergo general health evaluation. Careful assessment of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases is also required. Follow-up screening for tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis B/C is recommended 6 or more months after arrival. Growth and developmental delays, emotional/behavioral problems, and medical special needs are often found in this population. Parent preparation is essential to facilitate the adjustment of the child to a new family.