Health is often a big issue and a major concern when it comes to adoption, especially when a family is adopting a child internationally.

Depending on where you are adopting from, you may get a great deal of medical information on the child you are adopting, or you may get very limited and basic information. The information you get may be up to date and "on par" with U.S. standards, or it may be somewhat unreliable because of the conditions of where the care was given or the quality of the medical supplies and equipment available.

No matter where you are adopting from or how much or how little medical information you receive, it is a good idea to have your child screened by an international adoption specialist shortly after their arrival in your home. An international adoption specialist will be familiar with the sort of screenings and tests that should be done (which can vary depending on where you child was born) and also on what issues, ailments and conditions are common in international adoptees and what the appropriate treatments are.

If you live in an area that does not have an international adoption specialist, it is possible to find a specialist on line, who will then (either through email or over the phone) give you a recommended list of screenings and tests that you can then pass on to your local pediatrician. This is what we did for our first few international adoptions and it worked well.

Typical tests and screenings recommended for newly adopted children include:

Physical examination
Developmental screening
Hearing screening
Vision screening
stool sample tests for parasites and Giardia
Complete CBC (blood count)
HIV test, usually recommended to be repeated six months after arrival
Hepatitis tests (A,B and C), usually recommended to be repeated six months after arrival
TB skin test- should be repeated six months after arrival
Test for Congenital Syphilis
Liver function test
Rickets screen (if rickets is a concern)
Thyroid function test
Lead level test
Antibody titers, to determine which, if any, vaccinations have been given (only for kids over one year old)

Other tests may be recommended depending on where your child was living and any specific health concerns or symptoms that they may have.

There are also some specific screenings that may be recommended, depending on the race of your child. For instance, many parents who adopt black children have them tested for Sickle Cell Anemia. Parents of black and Asian children should also be aware of G6PD Deficiency, a lesser-known but fairly common disorder, which can make a child very sick very quickly, but is also very treatable and has a good prognosis with proper care. You can read about Sandra's personal experience with G6PD here.

Meeting with a specialist that is experienced with transracial adoption and also in treating children of a variety of races is the best way to determine what tests and screenings your child should receive.

In my next post I will discuss the creepy crawly side of international adoption (scabies, ring worm, lice, etc.) and vaccinations for newly adopted children.

Medical Problems of Adopted Children

Ask the Adoption Doctor