International Adoption

Every year thousands of children are adopted by families in countries other than their country of birth. The demography of intercountry adoption is constantly changing. As a result, the epidemiology of infectious diseases identified in this population of children is variable from year to year. Tuberculosis and intestinal parasites are the most prevalent diseases identified among international adoptees. Growth failure and micronutrient as well as macronutrient malnutrition are commonly seen. Acute hepatitis A is not uncommon and poses a threat to non-immune caregivers. The medical history and laboratory examination of the internationally adopted child differs from that of other children and is largely dependent on the region of the world where he or she was born. Nearly all of these children will need additional immunizations.