Brief Description of International Adoption Clinic:
You are going to adopt a child from another country. Congratulations!
You have already given a great deal of thought to the gift of adoption – the joys and rewards of providing new possibilities for a child in need. And, of course, you have carefully considered the challenges that will accompany this exciting endeavor. We are here to help inform and support your decisions, and to make sure your child gets the best medical care possible.
Our professionals understand the physical, psychological and developmental challenges facing a child born in another culture, perhaps one with rudimentary medical care.
We have experience treating conditions that sometimes are associated with early care in crowded orphanages or foster care programs abroad.
We want your new child to live up to his or her full potential – something every child deserves.
Before you adopt your child
Before you travel to China, Russia or Guatemala – wherever in the world you are adopting – you will need some medical information about the child you’ve chosen, what challenges this child has faced living in an orphanage or foster home, and the special medical needs he or she will have once you return to the U.S.
In our pre-adoptive service, our physician will review any medical records, videotapes or photographs sent to you from the child’s home country. Then we will share our findings with you, and together we will develop a care plan for the child.
We will share with you the reliability of a particular country’s health information.
We will explain the risks for what is known and not known about the child.
We will give you some practical advice to supplement your parenting skills.
We will suggest what to pack.
We will teach you how to initially assess your child’s health, and some simple skills to help your child right away.
We’ll also make sure you and your family’s immunizations are up to date, and provide you with health advice for international travel.
While you’re in another country
During the time you are outside the U.S., you can call our infectious diseases physicians at any time – 24 hours a day – for immediate advice. We will also provide you with an e-mail address for less-urgent questions.
After you bring your child home
If you arrive home and your child has an acute illness, you may contact one of the physicians in the adoption clinic or bring your child to the Emergency Department at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for immediate treatment.
Within two weeks of your return to the U.S., we will see your child for a complete evaluation. This will include the following:
A review of all medical information provided with the child
A complete physical examination
A test of your child’s development
Nutritional and basic health evaluation
Screen for infectious diseases
Evaluation of the child’s immunization status
Review test results and create a care plan
Facilitate visits to any pediatric specialists needed
Links to community resources
Hearing screen
Developmental screen
Eye exam
The results of these tests and screenings, along with our treatment recommendations, will be shared with you and with your child’s primary care physician. Our goal is the optimal health and success of your new family.
Clinics & Ambulatory Services:
The clinic is open for regular hours on Monday 9 a.m. - noon and on Friday 8 a.m. - noon. Pre-adoption visits with parents are often scheduled for late afternoon. Acute care post adoption visits may be scheduled as necessary.
Our clinic is located within the hospital’s infectious diseases clinic, on the fifth floor of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Outpatient Care Center.
If needed, you and your child will have access to our experts in:
Infectious diseases
Pulmonology (lung diseases and disorders)
Cardiology (heart care)
Hematology/oncology (blood disorders and diseases/treatment of cancer)
Cranialfacial for cleft lip/palate
Gastroenterology (digestive tract)
Neurology (brain and nervous system)
Dental care
Vision care
Behavioral and mental health
Genetics
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy and many others
Developmental psychologist
Referral Process:
Insurance
Most insurance plans are accepted with proper authorization. Pre-adoption consultations are usually not covered. Most insurance companies cover all care provided to the child following adoption. Check with your insurance company. Your child’s physician may need to make a referral to our clinic.
To make a referral to this clinic, please use one of the following methods:
