Intercountry adoptions: medical aspects for the whole family

In the United States, the number of intercountry adoptions has steadily increased in the past 15 years. Healthcare providers should understand the medical aspects of such adoptions in order to better advise families and aid them in making an informed decision when adopting a foreign-born child. Pretravel consultation is addressed, including immunizations, safety issues, and how to create a personalized prophylactic medical travel kit. Review of pictures, videos, and the medical history of the potential adoptive child is also discussed, as is air travel with children. Postemigration medical examinations-including developmental and psychosocial evaluations, general work-up with laboratory studies, and immunizations-are outlined. This article reviews the medical aspects of intercountry adoption for adoptive parents in the United States. The osteopathic approach of caring for the whole family lends itself to advising families on intercountry adoptions.