Medical problems of foreign-born adopted children.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Global Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Over 8000 foreign-born children are adopted annually in the U.S., many from developing nations.
• Primary care practitioners often lack sufficient experience to manage the unique health needs of these children.
• Adoptees present with a wide range of medical, developmental, and behavioral issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the medical care of foreign-born adoptees in a pediatric practice.
• To identify common health problems in this population.
• To develop and evaluate a screening protocol for foreign-born adopted children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for 128 foreign-born adoptees.
• Analysis of health issues identified at arrival and during follow-up.
• Development and assessment of a pre-adoption screening protocol.

Main Results:

• Common issues included deficient immunizations (37%), intestinal parasites (29%), and acute infectious diseases (49%).
• Other problems: emotional/behavioral issues (22%), skin diseases (16%), and congenital anomalies (10%).
• A screening protocol facilitated early identification of treatable conditions, reducing cost and inconvenience.

Conclusions:

• Foreign-born adoptees frequently present with multiple health concerns requiring specialized attention.
• A standardized screening protocol is essential for effective management of these children's health.
• Preadoption visits and screening improve early detection and management of potential health problems.