International adoptee program

A growing number of families are adopting children from abroad, especially from places such as China, Russia, Eastern Europe, Korea, Vietnam and Guatemala, where they have often been exposed to infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, syphilis, and parasitic infections. To provide these children with appropriate identification and treatment of these infectious diseases, the Children's Memorial Hospital Division of Infectious Diseases offers an international adoptee program. The specialists in the program provide comprehensive medical evaluations, review of immunization records, screening tests according to the child's country of birth and follow-up care for any infectious diseases the child may have contracted.

The clinicians provide a written comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to the primary care physician. Any further medical or developmental referral recommendations for the patient are also discussed with the primary care physician. On-site services for neurodevelopment, speech pathology, nutrition and other specialties are available.

The program is staffed by pediatric infectious disease specialists who have special training in foreign health issues as they affect the health of children. The clinic is held at the Children's Memorial Outpatient Center at Lincoln Park every Wednesday afternoon. Typical charges include a fee for the physician visit and each laboratory test. Since some insurances may not cover these services, families are encouraged to confirm their insurance coverage and/or get authorizations from their carrier prior to the visit.