[The risk of infections in internationally adopted children is real]

Each year approximately 400 internationally adopted children (IAC) come to Denmark from countries with high prevalences of infectious diseases. Former studies of IAC have shown that approximately 1% of the IAC are infected with Hepatitis A, 3-6% with Hepatitis B, mostly asymptomatic infections. 8-27% have gastrointestinal parasites and 1-7% have tuberculosis, but 3-21% have a positive Mantoux test. The studies found none with HIV or HCV and only a few with syphilis. The vaccination status was often deficient and the serology results did not match the vaccination records. All studies conclude that screening of IAC is recommended.