Medical Issues and Evaluations

Children waiting for adoption in other countries often have health conditions that are common in those countries but that can be prevented or easily treated in the United States. This section provides information on health and development issues relevant to children adopted from other countries.

• Health and developmental considerations for children adopted internationally
• International adoption clinics and doctors
• Postadoption exams and evaluations

Health and developmental considerations for children adopted internationally

Alcohol Related Disorders and Children Adopted from Abroad
International Pediatric Health Services Gives information on the prevalence and diagnoses of alcohol-related disorders and the long-term outcomes for affected children.

Developmental Issues
International Pediatric Health Services (2007)
Offers resources on growth and development in children adopted from other countries.

Health and Developmental Issues of Internationally Adopted Children
Aronson (2004)
Reviews health and developmental concerns in infants and children who have been adopted from foreign countries. Discusses the lack of preadoption medical information and specific medical conditions that can affect children adopted internationally.

Health Information
U.S. Department of State
Provides information about the health of children adopted from other countries and the health information that is provided to prospective adoptive parents. Describes the medical exam required for all internationally adopted children.

Health Insurance for Adopted Children
Ghose (2002)
Addresses eligibility for health insurance for adoptive children under their adoptive parents' health plans.

Medical, Developmental, and Mental Health Considerations
Henry & Pollack (2008)
In Adoption in the United States: A Reference for Families, Professionals, and Students
View Abstract
Addresses physical and mental health considerations for children adopted internationally. Provides tips for travel preparations, the trip home, working with pediatricians, and behavioral health considerations in intercountry adoptions.

Medical Issues in Adopting from China
Ochs (2006)
Discusses adoptions from China, orphanage life, risk factors in orphans, referrals, and common postadoption issues in children adopted from orphanages in a two-part webinar. There is a charge for the webinar, and you must register to access the material.

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International adoption clinics and doctors

International Adoption Medical Clinics
Comeunity.com
Supplies a directory of clinics and doctors who specialize in international adoption medicine.

International Adoption Medicine Program
University of Minnesota
Describes the first clinic in the United States that cares for the health needs of children adopted from other countries.

Medical Evaluation & Treatment Clinics
Adopting.org
Lists clinics and individual specialists in the United States and abroad providing pre- and postadoption consultation, evaluation, assessment, treatment, and referral.

Pediatricians With a Special Interest in Adoption and Foster Care Medicine: Adoption Directory (PDF - 54 KB)
American Academy of Pediatrics
Lists pediatricians by State who provide preadoption assessment and postadoption evaluation of medical information, primary care to adoptive families, and more.

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Postadoption exams and evaluations

International Adoptions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008)
Presents information on the overseas medical exam, the follow-up postadoption medical exam, and recommended screening tests on arrival in the United States.

Post-Adoption Check-Ups (PDF - 78 KB)
Adoptive Families Magazine (2003)
Recommends medical tests for newly adopted children when they arrive in the United States.

Post-Arrival Evaluations
Adoptive Families Magazine (2003)
Provides information on medical evaluations conducted during a child's first postarrival visit to the doctor.