International adoption of children with birth defects: current knowledge and areas for further research

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Adoption Medicine
• Global Health

Background:

• International adoption is a significant pathway for children, with those having birth defects being overrepresented.
• Children adopted internationally often present with complex medical needs and health disparities based on country of origin.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on international adoption of children with birth defects.
• To identify research gaps concerning the experiences of adoptive parents.

Main Methods:

• Literature synthesis on international adoption and birth defects.
• Discussion of a pilot study focusing on parents of children with orofacial clefting.

Main Results:

• Existing research extensively covers the health of internationally adopted children with birth defects.
• There is a notable deficit in understanding the experiences and challenges faced by their adoptive parents.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to explore the unique journey of adoptive parents raising children with birth defects.
• Investigating parental experiences, especially concerning specific conditions like orofacial clefting, is crucial for developing targeted support systems.