No matter how positive the intent of prospective parents, international
adoption is fraught with emotional, medical, administrative, linguistic,
and geopolitical issues. And while a wide range of professionals
supports adopted children and their families in adjusting to the
inherent changes and disruptions, the pediatrician's tasks--identifying
and treating existing health problems and preventing numerous
others--are particularly complex.
International Adoption and Clinical Practice equips pediatricians with
a comprehensive set of tools for establishing a long-term care plan and
creating interventions to promote healthy development. This concise
guide overviews the intricacies of the international adoption process
and how they can affect the pediatrician's job, from potential pitfalls
in collecting medical data from a child's birth country to tracking
health concerns into adolescence and young adulthood. Developmental and
behavioral issues including attachment, language acquisition, identity
development, and consequences of abuse and neglect are also examined in
this context. Figures, tables, and reference lists complement current
information on topics such as:
- Epidemiology and demographics of international adoption.
- Pre-adoption evaluation of medical records.
- Guidelines for diagnostic testing, screening, laboratory evaluations,
and immunizations.
- Common mental health issues faced by adopted children and their
families.
- Long-term and adult outcomes of international adoption.
- Relevant policy issues and areas for future study.
Every child deserves a safe and healthy home, and International
Adoption and Clinical Practice gives pediatricians an in-depth
framework for helping to make this possible as children make the
transition to a new country and the next stage of their lives.
