A growing number of families are adopting children from abroad, especially from places such as China, Eastern Europe, Korea, Vietnam, India, Ethiopia and Guatemala, where they may have been exposed to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, syphilis, parasites and other infections.
Lurie Children's Division of Infectious Diseases offers an International Adoptee Program that provides comprehensive medical evaluations, review of immunization records, screening tests according to the child's country of birth and appropriate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for any infectious diseases the child may have contracted.
What to Expect
Pre-Adoption Review
Prior to adoption, our specialists provide a pre-adoption review of all available medical records. The medical findings are determined and discussed with the prospective adoptive parents as well as any issues or concerns the adoptive parents may express. No appointment is required for the pre-adoption review, but arrangements need to be made through the Infectious Diseases office. The medical records can be mailed, faxed, or e-mailed.
Post-Adoption Medical Evaluation
Once the child is adopted, our specialists perform a comprehensive medical evaluation, update immunizations and perform laboratory screening tests. A written comprehensive assessment and treatment plan will be sent to the primary care physician, and any further medical or developmental referral recommendations are discussed with the primary care physician. Referrals for onsite services such as neurodevelopment, speech-language pathology, nutrition and other pediatric specialties are also available.
Outpatient Services
Our outpatient specialty services are offered at the outpatient center in Lincoln Park. Appointments are available on Wednesdays in the late afternoon. Typical outpatient visits fees include a comprehensive office visit fee plus a fee for each laboratory test. Because these services are not considered routine, some insurance carriers will not guarantee coverage or provide reimbursement. Parents are encouraged to check with the insurance carrier prior to scheduling the appointment to determine coverage.
Specialists
This program is led by Tina Tan, MD, and Ben Katz, MD. Our infectious diseases physicians specialize in international adoption and have special training in foreign health issues as they affect the health of children.
Make an Appointment
We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs.