What An Adoption Doctor Did for Us, Part Two

by Pam Connell | More from this Blogger

My last blog talked about how an adoption medicine specialist helped us to decipher referral information and consulted with specialists.

Once the referral was accepted, the doctor provided instructions on how to page her from abroad and a list of "what to bring" for each country. In Korea, medical care is good and most children are in foster care. Also, we visited our daughter during our stay but did not take custody until the last day. Therefore we brought only over-the-counter medicines and did not need to page the doctor. People more likely to page the doctor are those who travel to countries where they may be waiting with their child in a hotel far from quality medical care for several weeks. For these parents, the doctor prescribes ahead of time medications such as common antibiotics, creams for scabies, and treatments for other ailments common in orphanages and provides instructions on when and how to use them.

When a child arrives home, a medical consultation is scheduled for about ten days after arrival (sooner if the child is sick, of course). At this consultation, the doctor assesses the child's health in a thorough exam. The adoption doctor may test for conditions not usually found in infants born in the US, such as lead poisoning, gastrointestinal parasites, or Hepatitis B. Tests given overseas may be repeated in a US lab for quality assurance. The doctor will look for early signs of attachment and bonding and advise the adoptive parents. An adoption doctor will know if immunizations are typically given in the child's country and if they are of adequate quality. If not, she will set up a schedule for catch-up vaccinations.

As a child grows, an adoption doctor can provide advice on talking about adoption, further attachment and grief issues, teenage identity issues and the like She can treat all the usual conditions. She will also give great attention to the child's growth and development. She will keep a sharp eye out for the learning difficulties often seen in adopted children as well as low-birthweight children.

For the most part our doctor is like a regular pediatrician to us now, but we like knowing she shares our experience and is attuned to any difficulties our daughters may face.

Please see these related blogs:

What Is An Adoption Doctor and Why Would I Need One?

What An Adoption Doctor Did for Us

Adoption Doctors A Great Resource For Families Adopting Internationally

Learn more about Pam Connell

Pam Connell is a mother of three by both birth and adoption. She has worked in education, child care, social services, ministry and journalism.

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