Health care in the first year after international adoption

Abstract

After international adoption, routine screenings for infectious and nutritional diseases, lead exposure, and vision and hearing difficulties are early priorities for children's postadoptive health care. Specific health concerns raised before adoption should also be reviewed after children arrive home with their families. Once appropriate postadoptive screenings and immunizations have been initiated, the challenge for the primary care provider is to determine the intervals and content of future follow-up visits. Clinical decision making is influenced by a specific child's age, acute medical needs, and developmental assessments.