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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

87.3K

The adoption of the 'at risk' baby

L J Arens, W I Robertson, C D Molteno

    South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
    |August 25, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    High rates of cerebral palsy (CP) in adopted children in Cape Town are concerning. A review found many high-risk infants adopted as normal, highlighting the need for better pre-adoption medical screening.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Public Health
    • Adoption Medicine

    Background:

    • Cerebral palsy (CP) presents a significant concern among adopted children in Cape Town.
    • A notable proportion of adopted infants may have undiagnosed high-risk pre- and perinatal histories.
    • Current adoption practices may not adequately identify infants with potential developmental risks.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the incidence and potential causes of cerebral palsy in adopted children.
    • To evaluate the adequacy of pre-adoption medical assessments.
    • To propose improvements to existing adoption procedures to mitigate risks.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of medical and perinatal histories of adopted children.
    • Identification of infants classified as high-risk based on pre- and perinatal factors.
    • Analysis of adoption records and pre-adoption medical evaluations.

    Main Results:

    • Five out of twelve infants reviewed had known high-risk pre- and perinatal histories.
    • All five high-risk infants were believed to be normal at the time of adoption.
    • This suggests a potential gap in identifying neurological risks before adoption.

    Conclusions:

    • Expert medical examinations are crucial before finalizing adoptions.
    • Adoptive parents face inherent risks that require careful consideration.
    • Modifications to current adoption procedures are recommended to enhance infant welfare.

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