International Adoption: Infectious Diseases Issues

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 286 - 293
• Main Author: Miller, Laurie C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 15.01.2005; University of Chicago Press; Oxford University Press
• 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; Russian Federation; Asia; Eurasia; United States; China; America; North America; Parent; Vaccination; Hepatic disease; Mycobacterial infection; Birth; Adoptive transfer; Prevention; Viral hepatitis B; Spirochaetosis; Syphilis; Intestinal disease; Medical record; Malnutrition; Child; Adoption; Viral hepatitis C; International; Human; Immunopathology; Family study; Nutrition disorder; AIDS; Medical screening; Immune deficiency; Treponematosis; Infection; Immunoprophylaxis; Travel; Sexually transmitted disease; Tuberculosis; Viral disease; Bacteriosis; Digestive diseases; Intestinal parasitosis; Bibliographic review
• DOI: 10.1086/427109
• ISSN: 1058-4838

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.