Adopting a child is an extremely rewarding experience for
many families. If you're considering adoption, here are some
things to know about the health and medical care of an adopted
child, before, during, and after the adoption.
Before You Adopt
If you have an open or semi-open adoption - one in which you
meet the mother and sometimes the father - you should be able to
get substantial health information. In an open adoption, you may
help arrange the birth mother's
prenatal care
, go with her to doctor visits, and be present for the birth. You
can also request health records through the agency or attorney who
is arranging the adoption.
With an older child who is already living in the United States,
you can get a sense of the child's general health by spending
time with him or her before the adoption or by serving as a foster
parent first.
Before you adopt, try to have as much medical information as
possible, including:
- age, ethnic background, education, occupation, height,
weight, and medical conditions of the birth parents
- diseases or medical conditions that run in the child's
family
- the health of the child's siblings
- information about whether the birth mother drank alcohol,
smoked, or used drugs during pregnancy
- information about whether the birth mother used any
prescription or over-the-counter medications during
pregnancy
- an indication of whether the birth mother had any sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) that might affect the child's
health
- the birth mother's prenatal care
- results of any
tests
done during pregnancy
- any problems during pregnancy, labor, or delivery
- the child's weight, length, and head circumference
measurements at and since birth
- any medical problems the child has had
- the results of any medical tests the child has had
- the child's development in relation to standard age
milestones, such as sitting up, walking, or talking
- a description of personality and relationships with
others
- information about the child's care since birth
- any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of the child
If you adopt through an agency, you might be able to choose the
age of the child you want to adopt and what medical conditions
you'd be willing to accept. Discussing these issues can help
you and your partner clarify your feelings and priorities.
With international adoptions, you're likely to receive
photographs of the child, but reliable, complete health and
family information may not be available. If possible, consider
making a trip to meet the child before deciding to adopt. You can
find out about restrictions that different countries may have from
the U.S. Department of State.
Interpreting Information
After gathering the available health information, your
adoption agency (if you have one) might be able to help you
evaluate whether, given any medical issues, this child and these
circumstances are a good fit for you.
Also try to get a doctor to help you interpret the
child's
medical record
. You may want to consult a doctor who has experience with adopted
children from the same background as the one you may adopt. This is
especially true if you are adopting internationally. A Russian
medical record, for instance, may contain terms that are unfamiliar
to U.S. doctors but known to specialists or doctors with more
knowledge of that area.
Easing the Transition
Once you've decided to adopt or provide foster care, try to
learn as much as you can about the child's daily schedule,
abilities, and likes and dislikes. Maintaining a schedule and
serving foods that are familiar to the child can help ease the
transition into your home.
You may also want to arrange for the child to bring along some
personal belongings. The touch and smell of a favorite toy or an
old piece of clothing can help kids adjust.
When you pick up your child, it may be your only chance to
gather this type of information. Here are a few questions to keep
in mind:
- Which foods does the child like or dislike? When does the
child eat and how much? Is the child allergic to anything? How is
the child fed or how does the child feed himself or herself?
- When does the child sleep and for how long? Does the child
have a bedtime routine? Is there anything that helps the child
sleep?
- Does the child use the
toilet
on a set schedule?
- How and when is the child washed or bathed?
- What music has the child heard? Are there any favorite
songs?
- What does the child usually wear? What does the child usually
play with, and is there a favorite toy or blanket?
- What methods of comforting are most effective?
- Can the child sit, crawl, or stand? What about speaking,
making sentences, or recognizing colors, letters, or numbers? If
your child is in school, at what level?
- How does your child get along with other kids? With adults?
Is your child especially attached to particular people?
Other things to consider:
- You may want to take home pictures of the child's foster
family and familiar surroundings.
- Keep track of the names, addresses, and phone numbers of
everyone you meet who knows your child in case you need more
information later.
- Get a record of which
vaccinations
your child has received.
- Try to get a copy of your child's medical record or
photograph it.
- If you are not in touch with the birth mother, try to arrange
some way you could contact her if a medical crisis arises.
Kids With Special Needs
The term "special needs" is applied to any condition
that may make it harder for a child to be adopted. Kids with
special needs may have a mental, physical, or psychological
problem, or they may be older (perhaps 5 or older) or have siblings
who must be adopted with them. The definition of "special
needs" varies from state to state.
If you are thinking about adopting a child with special needs,
you may be required by the state or an agency to take courses or
get family counseling to prepare for the adoption. Try to learn as
much as you can about the child's condition and the special
care that's likely to be needed before you make a final
decision on adoption. Parents of other children with similar
conditions can be a valuable resource both before and after the
adoption.
Health Care When Your Child Comes Home
Soon after coming home, your child should visit your doctor
for a checkup, which will let you address any previously
undetected medical issues.
If you adopt a child who has spent time in foster care, the
agency may be able to tell you where the child has been getting
health care so you can either use the same providers or get the
records sent to the doctor you choose. This can help your child
avoid unnecessary tests. If your child was born in another country,
the doctor may want to provide vaccinations.
Potential Health Problems
Adopted children tend to be screened for a number of conditions
once they're placed in permanent care. Depending on a
child's risk factors and the completeness of the medical
records, the doctor may want to look for:
It's not uncommon for adopted kids, particularly those who
have been living in poverty, to get colds, minor infections, upset
stomachs, and diarrhea shortly after arriving in their new homes.
This often happens as the kids are exposed to new types of germs
and a new diet. These sicknesses will likely resolve themselves as
your child adjusts to the new environment. But if they persist,
call your doctor.
Internationally adopted children, especially those from China
and Eastern Europe, can have a number of other immediate medical
problems. These may include infections like
scabies
,
lice
, latent tuberculosis, and intestinal parasites; rickets and other
forms of malnutrition; and
lead poisoning
.
It's also common for adopted kids to have emotional problems
related to feeding as they adjust to their new homes. These
problems may include hoarding of food and eating to the point of
vomiting (both signs of past food deprivation). These problems
usually clear up with time and appropriate medical care, although
some kids may require counseling.
Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about
any health and medical care issues surrounding adoption. The more
you learn about your child's health, the better you'll be
able to make informed decisions about medical care and ease the
transition into family life.
Reviewed by:
Amy E. Renwick, MD
Date reviewed: September 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995-2009 The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth. All rights reserved.