International Adoption: Infectious Diseases Issues

Nearly 220,000 children have been adopted from other countries by American parents since 1986. Approximately 65,000 children have arrived from China and Russia, mostly in the past 6 years. Most of these children reside in orphanages before adoption, where they may experience malnutrition, environmen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical infectious diseases 2005-01, Vol.40 (2), p.286-293
Main Author: Miller, Laurie C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adopted children
Adoption
Antibodies
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the genital system
Biological and medical sciences
Child molestation
Children
Communicable Disease Control - methods
Communicable Diseases - diagnosis
Disease management
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus
Human bacterial diseases
Human immunodeficiency virus
Human viral diseases
Humans
Immigration
Infections
Infectious diseases
Internationality
Medical records
Medical sciences
Pediatrics
Travel medicine
Vaccination
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the digestive system
Viral hepatitis
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Summary:Nearly 220,000 children have been adopted from other countries by American parents since 1986. Approximately 65,000 children have arrived from China and Russia, mostly in the past 6 years. Most of these children reside in orphanages before adoption, where they may experience malnutrition, environmental deprivation, neglect, and exposure to infectious diseases. After arrival to the United States, international adoptees should undergo specialized screening evaluation for infectious diseases and other conditions. Infectious conditions of special concern include hepatitis B and C, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, tuberculosis, and presence of intestinal parasites. Before the adoption occurs, the infectious disease consultant may be asked to assist the primary care provider and the adoptive family with advice about travel and review of preadoptive medical records. After the adoption, the infectious diseases consultant may be asked to assess the adequacy of the child's vaccination record from the birth country and to assist in screening, evaluation, and management of infectious diseases.
ISSN:1058-4838
1537-6591
DOI:10.1086/427109