Health, Nutrition and Medical Issues in International Adoption

All children are vulnerable to having medical issues and adopted children are no different. With proper screening and treatment many of the illnesses are treatable. A balance diet and proper medical care is crucial to the adoptee.

Here are a number of the medical issues that afflict some children.

Scabies: The microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabei is contagious and spread between people in close contact with others. Symptoms include rashes and extreme itching. Orphanages, hospitals and child-care facilities are particularly prone to outbreaks. Most scabies treatments rely on an insecticide lotion. It is applied to all parts of the body including the areas between the fingers and toes and genitalia. Most treatments are left on for several hours before rinsing. Itching may continue after treatment.
All clothing and linens that may have come in contact will also need to be washed or dry cleaned along with all toys the child came in contact with.(1)

Lice: Body lice or Pediculosis is an extremely contagious infection by a tiny insect. Lice are spread via head to head contact or through means such as sharing sheets, towels, hats or clothing. The infestation consists of live lice as well as their eggs known as nits.
Treatment generally consists of applying a pesticide shampoo as well as the meticulous combing and picking of lice and nits.
All clothing and linens that may have come in contact will also need to be washed or dry cleaned along with soft or plush toys.

Rickets: Rickets is a disorder caused mainly by a lack of vitamin D and calcium. It generally occurs in children and is often a sign of malnourishment. Treatment is often related to eating a balanced diet and introducing a Vitamin D supplement.

Giardia Lamblia: is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestinal tract. The parasite survives for long periods of time outside of the human body which allows it to pass between animals and humans through contamination. Due to the long life of the parasite, it is easily transmitted through contaminated water. The parasite causes symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and bloating. Generally, a prescription medication is used to treat the illness.

Tuberculosis: Also called TB, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacteria. Once the leading cause of death in the U.S., the bacteria is now treated with a variety of drugs. TB outbreaks in developing countries have risen with the onset of drug resistant bacteria. There are a number of different treatment approaches available.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a rod-shaped bacterium that can cause disseminated disease but is most frequently associated with pulmonary infections. The bacilli are transmitted by the airborne route and, depending on host factors, may lead to active disease. Tuberculosis (TB) can usually be treated successfully with multiple medications. (2)

Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. (3)

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent hepatitis B virus infection. (4)

Anemia: The most common form of Anemia is caused by iron deficiency. It is an illness where the body contains too few red blood cells which in turn carry too little oxygen. Many infant formulas and cereals are supplemented with iron and vitamin C which helps the body absorb iron.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a spectrum of disorders. One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong, physically and mentally disabling condition. FAS is characterized by (1) abnormal facial features, (2) growth deficiencies, and (3) central nervous system (CNS) problems. People with FAS may have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, and/or hearing. These problems often lead to difficulties in school and problems getting along with others. FAS is a permanent condition.(5)

Syphilis: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It has often been called “the great imitator” because so many of the signs and symptoms are indistinguishable from those of other diseases. Pregnant women with the disease can pass it to the babies they are carrying.
Syphilis is easy to cure in its early stages. A single intramuscular injection of penicillin, an antibiotic, will cure a person who has had syphilis for less than a year. (6)

HIV/AIDS: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus may be passed from one person to another when infected blood, semen, or vaginal secretions come in contact with an uninfected person’s broken skin or mucous membranes*. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. People with HIV have what is called HIV infection. Some of these people will develop AIDS as a result of their HIV infection.
* A mucous membrane is wet, thin tissue found in certain openings to the human body. These can include the mouth, eyes, nose, vagina, rectum, and opening of the penis. (7)

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Acquired – means that the disease is not hereditary but develops after birth from contact with a disease causing agent (in this case, HIV).
Immunodeficiency – means that the disease is characterized by a weakening of the immune system.
Syndrome – refers to a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease. In the case of AIDS this can include the development of certain infections and/or cancers, as well as a decrease in the number of certain cells in a person’s immune system.
A diagnosis of AIDS is made by a physician using specific clinical or laboratory standards. (8)

This web page is for information only and is not meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a health care provider. Please visit the Center for Disease control for additional information and to read articles specific to adoption related issues. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/other/adoption.htm

(1)The Center for Disease Control, “Parasitic Disease Control” May 30, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/scabies/factsht_scabies.htm
(2)The Center for Disease Control, “Travelers’ Health, Ttuberculosis” http://www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/tb.htm
(3)The Center for Disease Control, “Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C” May 30, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm#1a
(4)The Center for Disease Control, “Viral Hepatitis B” May 30, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/index.htm
(5)The Center for Disease Control, “Fetal Alcohol Information” http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/fasask.htm
(6)The Center for Disease Control, Syphilis - CDC Fact Sheet http://www.cdc.gov/std/syphilis/syphilis-facts.htm#WhatIs
(7)The Center for Disease Control, What is HIV. May 30, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faq/faq1.htm
(8)The Center for Disease Control, What is AIDS. May 30, 2005 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faq/faq2.htm