Adoption is not medically easy
For you, adopting a child may be as easy a task as buying a doll from the toy shop. But when it comes to the health and medical care of the adopted child, there are some issues and concerns of its kind that you need to take it seriously before, during, and after the adoption is complete.
Information to collect before you adopt
You should get significant health information, when you opt to go for an open or semi-open adoption. In the case of semi-open adoption, you may meet the mother and sometimes the father as well. And, in an open adoption, you may help arrange the birth mother's prenatal care, get along with her to doctor visits, and be there at the time of the birth. Health records of the child can also be seen with the help of the agency or attorney who is arranging the adoption for you.
In case you like to have an older child who is already living in the United States, it’s relatively easy to get a sense of the child's general health by being with him or her for some time before the adoption takes place. Following are some important medical information which you should get before you adopt:
- diseases or medical conditions that run in the child's
- age, ethnic background, education, occupation, height, weight, and medical conditions of the birth parents
- the health of the adopted child's siblings
- information about whether the birth mother used any prescription or over-the-counter medications during pregnancy
- information about whether the birth mother drank alcohol, smoked, or used drugs during pregnancy
- an indication of whether the birth mother had any sexually transmitted diseases that might affect the child's health
- results of any tests done during pregnancy
- the birth mother's prenatal care
- any problems during pregnancy, labor, or delivery
- the child's weight, length, and head circumference measurements at and since birth
- the results of any medical tests the child has had
- any medical problems the child has had
- the child's development in relation to standard age milestones, such as sitting up, walking, or talking
- a description of personality and relationships with others
- any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of the child
- information about the child's care since birth
Adoption through an agency gives you an opportunity to choose the age of the child you want to adopt and what medical conditions you might be willing to accept.
What health care your adopted child needs?
As soon as your child comes home, it's better to take the child to a doctor for a health checkup. There you can go through with all the medical issues you want to sense or any issue that you think might not have been detected yet.
If you are adopting a child who has spent time in foster care, the agency may be able to tell you where the child has been getting health care so you can either use the same providers or get the records sent to a doctor you choose. This can help your child avoid unnecessary tests. If your child was born in another country, the doctor may want to provide vaccinations.
What kinds of health problem the child may face?
There are several conditions that adopted children need to be screened for once they are placed in permanent care. Depending on the child's risk factors and the completeness of the medical records, the doctor may want to test for:
- anemia
- blood lead levels
- developmental delays
- hepatitis B and C
- HIV
- intestinal parasites
- impaired hearing and vision
- metabolic disorders
- psychological problems (such as attachment problems)
- fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol effects
- rickets
- syphilis
- thyroid conditions
- tuberculosis
Talk to your child's doctor if you have any queries related to any health and medical care issues surrounding adoption. The more you learn about your child's health issues, the more you'll be able to make informed decisions about his or her medical care.
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