When it comes to international adoption, many uncertainties about the status of potential adoptees may arise. Most commonly, it is the child’s medical history that comes into question, both the child and the child’s birth family. Understandably, a parent wants their child to be healthy, as well as aware of any potential health risks or susceptibilities for future purposes. It is important to understand that if you are seeking only the placement of a child who is perfectly healthy, you may want to rethink adoption (and parenting in general). A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is there are no guarantees in life, and that includes adoption. Health issues may appear unexpectedly, and for no reason at all with previously healthy children, whether the child is adopted or biological offspring.
Typically with international adoption, children are placed due to death or illness of a parent, poverty, abandonment and/or neglect, or even severe family dysfunction due to drug abuse, alcoholism, or child abuse. These traumatic events alone may bring about the possibility of both emotional and physical health issues. There are also certain health risks inherent when adopting a foreign child, especially one from a third world country, who often come with minor, and sometimes major, health issues. For example, children coming from such circumstances may have experienced poor prenatal and/or postnatal care, and generally a lack of health care services, including proper immunizations. Some other common, less serious health problems associated with children referred for international adoption may include malnutrition, intestinal parasites, tuberculosis, intestinal parasites, lice, minor congenital defects, to name a few.
An adopted child can also be affected when living in an orphanage during critical developmental periods and/or for long periods of time before being placed with an adoptive family. Although reputable adoption agencies provide prospective adoptive parents with as much information as possible on a child’s medical history and background, oftentimes there is no way to confirm the accuracy or completeness of this information. While most adoptive children undergo medical evaluations, developing countries do not always meet U.S. standards regarding facilities, testing, and specialization. Even more uncertain than obtaining the child’s full background, is the dilemma of learning their birthparents’ medical and genetic histories, which may be completely unavailable, especially with abandoned children. Fortunately, and despite this being the case regarding a general lack of information, statistically it has been shown that the vast majority of health issues with adoptive children are minor and can be easily addressed and managed.
The most common serious health issues associated with internationally adopted children are HIV/AIDS; Hepatitis (A, B, or C); FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder); sensory integration dysfunction; and reactive attachment disorder. Part II of this discussion addresses each of these five conditions in more detail, outlining the necessary information for adoptive parent to be better prepared to face such issues successfully.
As research shows and this article presents, adoptive children from international locations, namely third-world countries, may likely be a victim of potential health risks and problems associated with their physical environments. However, as mentioned earlier as well, most health problems encountered by international adoptive children can be comfortably and effectively treated with modern medicine. In all likelihood an adoptive parent may not even become aware of any health issues prior to the placement of a child in their home. It would be prudent to have a pediatrician that specializes in this area to evaluate the child upon arrival, even if a previous determination of the child’s medical history appears to be adequate.
If you are seeking to adopt an international child and would like more information about the process, call McDowell Chartered legal services at 316-269-0746. Our experienced staff of attorneys will help you with all of your adoption questions and concerns!