International Adoption Clinic
Helping navigate the complexity of healthcare for international adoptees
Most children adopted internationally each year come from Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Many children have limited or no medical history, live in group homes, orphanages or foster care, and have limited access to healthcare.
Children in the process of adoption may have an infectious disease, with or without symptoms. International adoptees should receive a thorough physical exam and be screened for certain infections within two weeks of their arrival in the United States. We can help screen your newly adopted child for infections common in their country of origin.
Children’s Hospital offers pre-travel counseling, immediate post-travel evaluation, testing and follow-up care for internationally adopted children.
The international adoption program by the Pediatric Infectious Disease department addresses the physical, nutritional, behavioral and psychological needs of these children. Children’s Hospital also provides access to one of South Carolina’s largest groups of pediatric specialists, who can be consulted for virtually any medical, diagnostic and surgical need.
Immunizations
Only written documentation of immunizations received by an adoptee should be accepted. These should include the date of administration, number of doses, intervals between doses, and age of the child at the time of immunization. They should be comparable to the current US or WHO recommendations.
BCG, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles and hepatitis B vaccines are given routinely in many parts of the world. Other vaccines such as Haemophilus influenza type B, Streptococcus pneumoniae, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, rotavirus, varicella, and influenza vaccines may not be a part of the routine immunization schedule in other countries. Based on the immunization records available from the country your child is adopted from, blood tests can be performed to see if your child has appropriate antibodies to the vaccines that he/she has received.
Based on these results, we will know which vaccines your child still needs.
Schedule a pre-travel consultation
Two months prior to travel, please plan to meet with one of our pediatric infectious disease physicians. We can advise you on general travel precautions, destination-specific travel advisories, and specific recommendations on pre-travel immunizations.
We will also review any medical records available from your adoption referral and counsel you on recommended medications and dosages to have available with you should your child be ill or become ill while traveling.
Post-adoption visit
Within two weeks of arrival, your child will need to be evaluated for a comprehensive medical history, physical exam, lab studies for infectious diseases the child may have been exposed to and advice for making a smooth transition to a new home.
The child will be referred to the pediatrician or family doctor for a well-child check, any needed immunizations and to establish a medical home.
A follow-up at the Pediatric Infectious Disease office one month later will review lab studies and treat any remaining infectious diseases. If needed, a referral will be made to Developmental Pediatrics for a post-adoption transition evaluation and counseling.
Please call to schedule an appointment for an international adoption evaluation.